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(RI.STOFORO COLOiMBO, 



il i'kimo dkci.i f.uropel che sbarco' st'lle spiagge 
d'america. 



r^OLUMBUS DAY 



N «i^w^rj«&€ Colorado 




By Angelo Noce, fu Giacomo, of Denver, Colorado. 



October 12 Set Apart as a Legal Holiday in Honor 
of Cristoforo Colombo 



THE FIRST STATE 

to Commemorate the Discovery of America 



Detailed Account of the Work and Influence of the Author in 
Securing the Passage of the Legislative Bill 



DENVER, COLORADO 
1910 






COPYRIGHTED 1910 BY 
ANGELO NCCE. 



ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 



-NGELO NOCE. Printer 
Denver. Colc. 



ICI.A27'3?76 



',i Castilld ij a' Leon 
Xuero Muitdo dio Colon." 

To Castil" and Leon 

A new world Colon o;ave. 




Index. 



l'"r()nti.s])ic('(> 4 

Title Piige - '^ 

Illustration.«_ . 9 

Preface, by Jciome ('. Smiley, Historian 11 

Letter to Hon. Jas. J. McFeely 12 

Ans\v(M- i;-{ 

I'hoto of Author _- _ 16 

Introductory 17 

Columbus Day in Colorado : 19 

Biography, from " II Libro d'Oro" _ 22 

Special Aid to Grand Marshal — 1876 23 

Proposed Monument 29 

Regarding the Proclamation 35 

The Original Bill 39 

Newspaper Extracts 39 

Recognition by Colorado 39 

Indexing Records _ 43 

Celebrating First Legal Holiday 47 

Attestato di Merito 47 

Italian Consul and Governor's Pen 48 

General Pfafflin . ol 

Pen to go to Italy 55 

Commemorating Columbus' Landing 59 

A Legal Holiday 63 

Preparations to Celebrate 64 

Ancora del Columbus Day ()8 

Present to the Knights of Columbus 73 

Lettoi' to Chiariglione 74 

Columbus Day Bills . 83 

Miscellaneous Mention 91 

Columbus Day in Montana _ 91 

Witnesses Who Leave no Question of Authorship _ 94 

Letters and Testimonials 94 

Correspondence — Noce-Corte _ 117 

Letter from Governor McDonald ^ _ ._ 120 

Extract — from Extra Issue, Coiora<h) Catliolic Register 121 



Illustrations. 

Angelo Noce 27 

Governor McDonald 33 

Rev. Ginlio Piccoli 37 

Miss Ellis Meredith _ 41 

Parade in Denver 45 

Grand Marshal 49 

Chief of Staff _ _ 53 

Presentation of Pen _ _ 57 

Governor Buchtel 61 

Pinning of Gold Medal 65 

Jas. J. McFeely 71 

Original Draft of Bill..; 81 

John B. McGauran 89 

Emmet A. Bromley 97 

Pen Used by Governor McDonald 103 

Robert A. Latta 107 

Giuseppe Sacco 109 

Frank Mazza 113 

Extract 121 



Preface. 



^Ir. x\iigelo Noee, the nuthor of this book, became a 
citizen of Colorado in the year 1882; and during the time 
that has intervened he has l:)een one of the honorably 
prominent and influential Italian-Americans in our State. 

A nati\'e of Genoa, the Inrth-place of Christopher 
Columbus, Mr. Noce persistently endeavored thi'ough 
many years to have the services of the illustrious navi- 
gator commemoi'ated in Colorado iDy methods more im- 
pressive and enduring than any that already had been 
instituted. To this end he sought to procure the erec- 
tion, in the city of Denver, of a befitting monument to 
the great Genoese, and to have the 12th day of Octol^er 
made a legal holiday. In the latter undertaking he has 
been successful; and he is strong in his faith that the 
other presently shall be accomplished. 

Chiefly in consequence of Mr. Noce's untiring exer- 
tions in forwarding his laudable purposes, our Sixteenth 
General Assembly added Octol^er 12th to tlie number of 
general holidays in Colorado. In tliis action our law- 
makers placed our State in advance of every other polit- 
ical division in all America — North, Central, and South — 
in thus honoring the discoverer of the Western World. 

Recently a few of Mr. Noce's countrymen in Colo- 
rado have attempted to disseminate doubt as to the 
validity of his title to the distinction of having been the 
leader in the movement that resulted in establishing 
Columbus Day in our State. With justifiable pride in 
the part he bore therein, he has assembled in this volume 
a convincing array of documentary and other evidence of 
his leadership in that movement. 

JEROME C. SMILEY. 

Dexveh, 1<)1(). 



A Letter to Hon. J. J. McFeely 



DENVER, COLO., June 10, 1910. 

HON. .]AS. J. McFEELY, 

Member of Denver Council 539, Knights of Columbus. 

Dear Sir: 

My object in writing you is tliis: You having for the past 
few years taken a deep interest in aiding and assisting in the 
passage by the Legislature of the State of Colorado of the Bill 
establishing the 12th day of October as "COLUMBUS DAY," 
and it being a subject very near and dear to me and to my 
countrymen, and for the purpose of establishing for all time to 
come as to who is entitled to the credit for suggesting and in- 
troducing the Bill that finally became a law, it is my desire 
that you select a Past Grand Knight of Denver Council No. 539, 
Knights of Columbus, together with one unbiased prominent 
Italian. They together to act in conjunction with yourself for 
the purpose of making a thorough examintion of the journals 
of the House of Representatives and State Senate of the State 
of Colorado relating to said Bill, together with all letters and 
any and all other documents referring to the same; and after 
said examination that your Committee will certify over your 
own signatures who is entitled to the credit. And any decision 
of which the Committee may render I will humbly submit. 

Very respectfully yours. 

ANGELO NOCE. fu Giacomo. 



Answer 



• 1.' hiiBl.Hfrm-ol-t&Tnmnrr SWh 



Denver, Colorado, August 15, 1910. 



Mr. Angelo Noce, 

CITY. 

Dear Sir: — 

In compliance with your request made in your letter to me 
under date of June 10, 1910, I will state that I selected the 
Hon. John E. McQauran, Past Grand Knight, Denver Council No. 
539, Knights of Coluii.tus, and editor of The Denver Catholic 
Register, and the Hon. A. Rossi, Italian Consul for the District 
of Colorado and surrounding territory, to act with me on the 
Investigating Committee suggested by you. 

It affords me great pleasure to state that those gentlemen, 
along with myself, undertook the arduous task of making a 
thorough and cor^pleta examination of the Journals of the House 
of Representatives and State Senate of the State of Colorado, 
and of all the original bills, which in any manner relate to the 
measure whicii was finally passed making Colur.bus Day a legal 
holiday in the State of Colorado. We also examined r.any ar- 

ticles published in the Denver newspapers relating to the same 
subject, and after a very exhaustive examination of all the 
records, we, the undersigned, have no hesitancy whatever in 
stating that we are convinced that you, Angelo Noce, are entitled 
to all honor and credit of being the first person to suggest 
and cause to be introduced in the House of Representatives, a 
bill declaring October 12th of each year a legal holiday, to be 
known as COLUMBUS DAY. 

We desire to state further that we have examined with a 
great deal of care the manuscripts which you are soon to pub- 
lish in book form, and find that your statements therein, in 
regard to your efforts to secure the passage of the bill, are 
true in every particular, and that, thanks to you, we are 
proud to say that Colorado was the first state in the Union 
to do honor to your countryman, the great Christopher Columbus. 



Respectfully yours. 




'' U America, che divise VOccano profondo, 
Perche' vergin restasse, e giovin sempre} 

Nella vecchiezzn del mondo.'' 

America, separated by the ( )cean deep. 
That virgin it would i-emain, and forever youthful 
In the old ages of the world. 




I)c rati SSI mo rnstro. 

A X (r E L N O C E . /'// Gidcoino. 



Introductory. 



Were it the purpose of the author to follow prece- 
dent or adhere to custom, the reader of this little volume 
would be favored with a brief commentary of its con- 
tents, or the simple lines of its dedication to a cause or to 
one of sacred memory. In reality the work is designed as 
a memorial to a great man whose deeds have illumined 
the pages of history through the centuries and stand, 
without the formula of words, dedicated to his posterity, 
his kindred and all the races of men who have sought 
refuge and habitation in America — the land of the free — 
the birthplace and home of liberty. Had the author been 
allowed to pursue his course without interruption, there 
would now be no necessity of referring to the imperfec- 
tions of the work and the disjointed nature of the subject 
matter. These are the results, of untoward circumstances 
which forced me to burden the book with explanations or 
abandon the zealous and unselfish work of years in the 
hour of my triumph. Carrying original designs to a con- 
summation, had that been permitted, there would have 
been naught left for me to do but relate in a few pages 
how, by my unaided work and personal influence, I secured 
the passage of the law making the 12th day of October in 
every year a legal holiday in Colorado, in honor of the 
discovery of America by Cristoforo Colombo. With an 
apology for the large amount of relative matter of a per- 
sonal nature, and in deference to the reader, it is deemed 
appropriate to state that the author is a native of Genoa 
and an Italian citizen of the United States. 



^••,^ 




Columbus Day in Colorado. 



It is well and truly said that Italy is the land of 
Genius ; of the great Genoa— the superb — that she is the 
cradle of Liberty. Words of praise cannot enhance the 
renown or give due honor to the men of genius and of 
greatness who have left an indelible, ineffaceable im- 
print upon its history's pages. No country has enshrined 
in arts, letters and the sciences, intellectual endowments 
more brilliant or excelling than those which have inspired 
and quickened the veril© genius of Italy. Dante, Petrar- 
ca, Tasso, Ariosto are not dead, but through the limitless 
ages of eternity will live in the greatness and grandeur 
of their achievements. Tiziano, Giotto, Raphael, Tintor- 
€to, Vasari are enrolled among the immortals because of 
the work they wrought to enrich and ennoble the lives 
of countless millions. 

Brumelleschi, Benvenuto, Cellini and others cannot 
die, for ''their works do live after them," like a pyramid 
of glory. They represent, through successive ages, the 
genius of the land where Homer, Virgil and Ovid gave to 
the world the odes and epics which have enriched the 
literature of all lands. Nor will the list be complete 
which does not include the names of Volta, Galileo and 
Menici, not omitting Marconi of the present day ; and the 
roster will show that our forefathers were the peers of 
all people in science, letters and the arts. From this list 
are necessarily omitted names of illustrious men, whom to 
separate from the literature of our peninsular Paradise 
would impoverish the world; and these names form a 
fitting apex to the invisible monument whicli memory 
now erects to genius. 

But I have reserved the name of the most illustrious 



20 

one, that it may occupy the phice of its own rcniown, 
transceudinjij: the radiance of literary fame or the tieeting 
<;lory of those whose names eml)hizon in l)right coh)rs the 
armorial bearings of their country. History and tradi- 
tion speak of Caesar, Alexander Magno and of Napoleon 
as the three genii Avith the eye and countenance of the 
lynx, to whom nothing could successfully oppose. They 
were conquerors in great battles, but their triumphs 
brought ruin and desolation to the land, with death and 
misery to multiplied millions immolated to their ambi- 
tion. 

If we estimate the greatness of men by the far-reach- 
ing beniticence of their work and deeds, Ave turn to those 
Avho have bestowed the larger and most substantial ben- 
efits upon the people of the world. In this behalf, to my 
sense of appreciation, the great voyager who first led 
the way to a new w^orld and opened to view a continent 
for the habitation of all peoples and with it the inheri- 
tance of liberty, free from the darkness of superstition, 
the curse of religious fanaticism and the thraldom of im- 
perial power, was the Superlative One— CRISTOFORO 
COLO:\IBO. 

If the results of a man's work are accepted as the 
standards of his merit, the achievements of Cristoforo 
Colombo outshine the glories of the military hero and 
dim the lustre of the literary world. America, this great 
country which counts Init a few centuries of civil life, 
is today the shining exemplar of progress and liberty, 
leading mankind of the old world and the new in the 
settled ways of civilization. And, was it not Cristoforo 
Colombo who gave to the world this New World, where 
the people converge and bring the contingents (^f many 
collective forces from all countries? The Italian in these 
United States should, occupy the place which, by history, 
tradition and by true citizenship, is really due him. Let 



21 

him awaken to the realization that it was an Italian — the 
Genoese — Cristoforo Coloml)o, who was the first European 
to set foot upon the land of the Western hemisphere, 
for the permanent abode of a civilized people — the 
first to give to civilization this new world. It is 
not rare that we hear some persons of this country 
say that the merit of discovering America is not 
due to Colombo. Therefore it is the duty of all good 
Italians to refute all such false stories and endeavor to 
have retaine/1 the glory due and belonging to an Italian. 
America, Europe and the Avhole M'orld will, for all time, 
give credit to Cristoforo Colombo for a discovery that 
honors the memory of the great navigator and at the 
same time the honor is shared in by all of us Italians. 

With the foregoing brief reflections, intended to show 
that I, Angelo Noce, am not impelled by ambition, nor 
urged by other than patriotic motives, I will give in 
abridgment the history of what I have done toward 
making Colorado the first state in the union to proclaim 
October 12 of each and every year a legal holiday, under 
the name and title of "COLUMBUS DAY." 

Accomplishing this in one state, it certainly will not 
be a distant time until Columbus Day will become recog- 
nized as a legal holiday, not only in Colorado, but also 
in every country of Latin America, and in every angle 
w'here civilization is not a vain name. Therefore, not am- 
bition, but duty, inspired me during the course of my 
laborious existence to make known the merits of an 
Italian in a foreign land (a merit contested sometimes 
to Cristoforo Colombo), and because of the grand deed 
bj^ him achieved, that one day be consecrated to his 
memory. 

In the first place it is necessary that I should present 
myself to the readers, and, that they may know me, I 
shall cite a few passages taken from "II Libro d'Oro," 



edited and published in 1904 at Pueblo, Colo., by Messrs. 
B. K. Cassigoli and H. Chiariglione — pages 244-245 : 

"ANGELO NOCE, fu Giacomo. 
Was born in Coreglia (Cicagna), province of Genoa. June 24, 
1847. He came to America with his parents in 185(i, and is an 
authentic pioneer. 

"In 1859 he rejoined his father in California. His school- 
ing was had in the common schools and colleges of St. Mary's 
In 1864-1865, and Santa Clara in 1867-1868. 

"In 1870 he was appointed interpreter for the Courts of 
Sacramento, the capital of California. 

"He is a typesetter by profession and a member of the typo- 
graphical union since 1869. He has worked in the principal 
journals of the west, both as journeyman and foreman. From 
1879 to 1882 he was a Notary Public in Eureka, Nevada, and an 
active, zealous and conscientious President of the local Type- 
graphical Union. 

"In Eureka he did so much in behalf of the Italians as to 
merit precious letters of thanks from the Minister of Foreign 
Affairs of the Kingdom of Italy. In San Francisco, California, 
he was one of the founders of the Bersaglieri and ^lutual 
Benevolent Society. 

"In Denver, Colorado, in 1885, Mr. Noce was a deputy 
county assessor: in 1889 he was appointed yardmaster at the 
Colorado State Penitentiary, and in 1890 was appointed con- 
stable for Arapahoe County. Colorado, but these two latter 
positions he declined to accept. 

"In 1889 he was appointed a deputy sheriff of said Arajia- 
hoe County, a position which he filled with much honor. In 
1896 he was a clerk of the enrolling committee of the House 
of Representatives of Colorado, and in September, 1898, was 
nominated by the Labor party as a candidate to the House 
of Representatives of Colorado. 

"In his examination for Government interpreter he receivf^d 
splendid marks, ranking among the first. Lately he was called 
to Washington as an official interpreter, where he remained 
two months, astonishing every one by his ability as a ready and 
accurate translator. 

"In Denver, where he resides with his wife Assunta. nee 
Leverone, and six children — four sons and two daughters — he 
possesses fine property; he is very popular, and it can be said 
that every cititzen honors and esteems him. To the colony, 
especially when it was about forming itself, he attempted to 
communicate to it his faith and his enthusiasm; but he was not 
always understood and he disdainfully turned aside to leave 
others do and undo. 



"MANY YEARS AGO HE PROPOSED THE ERECTION 
OF A MONUMENT TO COLOMBO IN COLORADO, BUT HIS 
PROPOSITION FOUND FEW ADHERENTS AND COLOMBO 
DID NOT RECEIVE THE DUE HONORS IN DENVER. 

"Although he left Italy at a tender age, his love for the 
land that gave him birth is grand and enthusiastic. 

"He worked as a typesetter on the principal journals of 
Denver, and when the typesetting machines were installed 3a 
the printing offices, in a very brief time Noce learned the new 
art. becoming a master. 

"In 1885, at his own individual expense, he started the 
publication of 'La Stella,' an Italian weekly newspaper. At 
that time, the Italians in Colorado being but few, could not 
support it, and the publication was honorably suspended — not 
owing a penny to any one. 

"Many times he tried to organize the Italians — to guide 
them in the political battles — but he was not always success- 
ful, because he either does not know or does not want to bend 
himself to the will of those who impress themselves by seductive 
talk and falsehood. 

"Had he known how to adapt himself, transform, bend and 
peculate, he would today be very wealthy. 

"It is pleasing to us here to mention how the typographical 
work on the 'Libro d'Oro' was executed with love and com- 
petency by Angelo Noce, who well deserves a mark of respect 
of his life of labor and honesty." 



Special Aid to the Grand Marshal in the Centennial 
Celebration— 1876. 

In July 1876, the Centennial anniversary of the In- 
dependence of the United States occurring, a three-day 
celebration was held in San Francisco, California. The 
Italian colony of that city selected me as one of their 
representatives in the festivities and the Grand Marshal 
of the occasion, Mr. McDonald, the then mayor of San 
Francisco, further honored me by appointing me as one 
of his special aids. 

On October 12 of the same year (1876) I was an as- 
sistant to the Grand Marshal of the festival celebrated 
'in honor of Cristoforo Colombo in San Francisco. At that 



24 

time all the Italians were enthusiastic at the coming of 
that memorable event. Every Italian rivaled to make the 
day most happy, and the most cordial feeling manifested 
itself. Petty bickerings and sectional strife were un- 
known or laid aside. Everyone was contented to have the 
great Genoese Navigator worthily honored. From the 
poor laboring man, Avho toils all day to earn sufficient to 
feed his family, np to the wealthy importer, l)iisiness and 
professional man, all exerted themselves to have that day 
appropriately celebrated in honor of Cristoforo Colombo, 
here in the land he discovered. And I, in certifying to the 
great success of that celebration, conceiveJ the idea that 
it would have a beneficent influenee upon the iiiiiids of 
men. that it uiiii'ht heeome universally accepted and well 
understood and afterwards In-ing forth profitable results — 
that is, that Columbus Day would become legally recog- 
nized in the glorious land of George Washington— where 
Liberty is not a myth nor a by-word ; in this land of 
equality and brotherhood. 

Thirty-four years have now passed away since that 
memorable gathering in San Francisco, and during all 
this time my faith has never faltered and I have never 
wavered from the accomplishment of my self-imposed 
task ; and, as my duty, I held to the one idea — which 
would redound to the honor of those who feel and hold 
themselves proud of having had their natals in the same 
district in which the Great Navigator Colombo was born. 
This faith I have always held fast and sacred in my heart ; 
and when, in the year 1879, I went to Eureka, Nevada, 
and my compatriots in that locality founded the Italian 
Mutual Benevolent and Philharmonic Society, T aided and 
seconded their project, and was the Society's secretary, 
and then and there I always tried to make and gain new 
converts by agitating COTAJMBUS DAY. Unfortunately 



25 

the charcoal and miners' strike, which shortly afterwards 
occurred, upset all ray ideals and projects. 

In 1882 I changed my residence from Eureka, Ne- 
vada, to Denver, Colorado, and I had been here but a 
couple of weeks when the sorrowful news which startled 
the world was flashed over the country announcing- that 
upon the Rocks of Caprera fell to that sleep which has 
no awakening Giuseppe Garibaldi — the modern Cincin- 
natus. I then exerted myself to the end that the Italian 
colony of this city would make some public demonstration 
of sorrow at the loss of the noble leader of the One 
Thousand as well as of those who had taken part with 
him. The Italian colony responded, and appropriate ex- 
ercises were had. (I would like to here state that I have 
always had a tender spot in my heart for my native land 
and its Great — and if I did not entertain such feelings for 
the country that gave me birth, I would certainly be an 
unworthy adopted subject of these United States.) In the 
year 1862 the Italian colony of Jackson, Amador county, 
California, had a great celebration. I was then but a 
mere youth. The officers of the entertainment dressed 
me up in the Garibaldian uniform and made me their 
standard bearer for the occasion. 

Hence it may be seen what prompted me to get my 
compatriots together for the solemn manifestations here 
in Denver. 




A N G l^L O N O C E . 

[From photo taken in 1862 in Jackson. Amador County, 
California; preserved by my sisters anrl restored to me 
by my niece, Mrs. Theresa Gotelli, of San Francisco, Calif.] 



A Proposed Monument. 



In the year 1890, but a short time before the fourth 
Centennial of the discovery of America, I endeavored with 
all my power that here in Denver we should erect a mon- 
ument to Cristoforo Colombo, and with that object in view 
I spoke to several members of the Colorado Legislature, 
then in session, toward having that body appropriate a 
certain amount of money as a nucleus for such memorial, 
and also advocated the passage of a bill creating October 
12 of each year a legal holiday. My proposition would 
have met due consideration had not the allotted time for 
the introduction of bills elapsed. 

Assisting and paving my way in the difficult enter- 
prise was that illustrious sculptor, Preston Powers, a na- 
tive of Florence, Italy, of American parentage. That per- 
fect gentleman, a lover of Italy and its monuments, of- 
fered his services to carve in marble the figure of the un- 
daunted Genoese Navigator. Cristoforo Colombo ; willing 
to do the work semi-gratuitous, appreciating that the 
honor would redound to the Italian residents of this coun- 
try, which was by Colombo donated to the world. But 
notwithstanding the noble initiative, which for the mo- 
ment received enthusiastic applause, by the unfriendly 
acts of some of our Italians, it was afterwards placed at 
rest and forgotten. 

October 12, 1892, soon came ah)ng, and notwithstand- 
ing my best efforts and good will. ]\Ir. Preston PoAvers 
could not give life to or erect with his master chisel the 
monument to Colombo. This failure, however, did not dis- 
courage me in mv undertaking. I took on more activity 



30 

and ooiiraj^e for the success of my project, that October 
12, C0LI^:\I1UTS DAY, should I)." proclaimed aud recog- 
nized a leual holiday. 

1 then agitated the pr( priety of making a public dem- 
onstration, with appr()i)riat(' ceremony, on October 12, 
1892, the fourth centennial of the discovery of this new 
world by Colombo. This initiative took life, and the Ital- 
ians did themselves credit on this occasion. The festivi- 
ties were imposing. On the other hand, the heroes of the 
last hour attempted to filch my idea and defraud me of 
all that had been my dream and constant thought — the 
ideal of my life. 

If a person enters the residence of another in the 
night with the intention to steal is a thief, so is he a thief 
who would appropriate unto himself the labors of another 
to gain prominence. It is a well known fact that the 
heroes of the eleventh hour are not wanting, who, like the 
vulture that descends after the battle, try to create for 
themselves respectability at the expense of those who have 
given their life-blood and valor upon the sacred fields for 
liberty. 

Hut all tlu> local American newspapers recognized my 
merit, and. in interesting reviews and editorial articles, 
honored my hundde name with due credit. 

Had I the desire to detail all that has been said and 
Avritten about me and my unselfish efi:"orts in this cause, 
it would require a very large volume. But I will simply 
touch upon — and for me it is sufficient — the unforgettable 
occurrences to which is united Cohnnbus Day, due to these 
efforts, and which were for so many years my fondest 
dream and my constant endeavor. 

If grand was the Ligurian Pilot who rowed and 
sailed toward unknown shores, afterwards to give a new 



31 

world to the old one, it becomes the duty of those Italians 
who came afterwards to see that in this land discovered 
by Cristoforo ColomlK), to render unto him the 
credit ; and especially here, where some slanderers and 
defamers of Colombo and of the Italian good name assert 
that it was not Colombo, but the Orientals first and the 
Portugese next that first landed here. 

History renders full justice to the great voyager, yet 
the foaming calumniator has tried to obscure and darken 
Colombo's fame. Hence I hold that it is the duty of an 
Italian to do everything possible in order that here, in 
the land discovered by an Italian, should be celelirated 
the unf orgotten event ; here in these regions where he 
wept and suffered, where he braved against impetuous 
waves and calmed the opposition, rancor and envy of 
rude and ignorant men — who conspired to slay him — but 
who safely conducted them to the discovery and conquest 
of the new world. 





HON. JESSE F. McDonald, 

Governor of Colorado, 1905-1906. 



The issuing of the Proclamations declaring October 12, 1905- 
1906, a legal holiday, was an honor that had never been accorded 
to the Italians by any Governor in these United States. 

The act of Hon. Jesse F. McDonald will become historic. It is 
the highest expression of friendship to the people of that Nation 
whose just pride centres in that immortal figure in the history of 
the world — Cristoforo Colombo. I hope that future generations 
looking toward the starry firmament of the great may clearly dis- 
cern the bright and bold prominence of the stars of Gov. McDonald, 
Sam. H. Wood and Alfred C. Montgomery, his Secretaries. .4. N 



Re^ardinA the Proclamation. 



Regarding the i)i'oelamatioiis issued hy His Excel- 
lency, Grovernor Jesse F. McDonald, of Colorado, declar- 
ing October 12tli, in 1905 and 1906, legal holidays, "The 
Denver Evening Post," "The Denver Republican," "The 
Rocky ^Mountain News," "The Evening Times," "Ex- 
aminer,"" "('olorado Graphic." etc., in fact all the Denver 
English iiewspa])ei's. were united in giving me credit for 
securing the same from the governor and admired my 
untiring efforts. With these widely circulated American 
newspapers, "11 Risveglio," "Nazione," "Rouui" and 
"La Capitale."" Italian journals of this city, joined in do- 
ing me honor, that it miglit l)e known Avhat I had done to 
secure the tril)ute to the memory of Cristoforo Colombo. 

To reproduce all the articles in the English and Ital- 
ian languages is an ai'duous task, too long and tedious for 
me and for tliose Avho may 1)e interested in reading my 
story. 1 will, however, trace a very brief history of my 
doings in tliis connection, and from wliich it nuiy be seen 
tliat I am not trying to cover myself witli peacock's 
feathers to make a Ixviutiful showing, l)ut that 1 oulj' 
claim that which is truly mine — that I am the Author of 
the original bill creating "COLU^MBUS DAY." and that 
through my personal efforts and witii the assistance of 
two American gentlemen (in 1905 by Hon. Sam. H. Wood, 
the then ])l•i^•ate secretary to the governor; in 1906 by 
Hon. Alfred G. ^Montgomery, private secretary to the gov- 
ernor), the proclamations of October 12. 1905, and that of 
October 12. 1906, were issued by His Excellency, Governor 
Jesse F. ^McDonald, before the legislature had acted on 
the bill making those two davs legal holidavs. 



m 
S 

m 
m 

m 

X 

1 
1 

5 

m 





W 



REV. GIULIU M. i'JCCOLI, O. S. M., 

Pastor of the Mount Carmel (Italian) Church, 

Denver, Colorado. 



To the Reverend Father is due the honor and credit for his endeav'ors 
to unite all the Italian societies of Denver for at least one day in each year, 
that they may as one celebrate October 12, Columbus Day. For that purpose 
he called the Presidents of the various organizations to meet at his residence 
on January 22, 1905, to discuss the matter and incorporate for the festivities of 
Columbus Day. Several meetings were held but the Presidents finally agreed 
to disagree. The minutes of the various meetings held are now in the posses- 
sion of .\ngclo Noce. 



The Original Bill. 



On January 13, 1905, at my request, the Hon. Emmet 
A. Bromley, of xVdams county, introduced into the House 
of Representatives of Colorado a bill creating October 12. 
1905, and of each and every year thereafter, a legal holi- 
day in honor of Cristoforo Colombo, and to be known as 
"COLUMBUS DAY." 

A few days after Hon. Emmet A. Bromley had intro- 
duced my liill into the House of Representatives, which 
was then known as H. B. No. 65, Senator Cacimero Bare- 
la, who had represented his district in the legislature of 
this state for over twenty-four consecutive years, called 
upon Mr. Bromley and asked for a duplicate of the "Col- 
umbus Bill," that he might introduce the same in the 
Senate. ^Ir. Bromley cheerfully gave him a copy, which 
the Senator introduced in the Senate on January 18, 1905 
— five days after it had been introduced by Mr. Bromley 
in the House. 



"RECOGNITION BY COLORADO." 
From the "Denver Evening Post," January 13, 1905: 

"If a Bill introduced this morning in the House by Brom- 
ley (Rep.. Adams) passes. Colorado will have an addition il 
legal holiday, and Angelo Noce, the veteran Denver Italian, will 
have achieved the object of his life — the recognition by Colo- 
rado of Christc:iher Cob.'ml.us. 

"The Bill was drafted by Mr. Noce and makes October 12 
"Columbus Day," and a legal holiday in the State. October 12, 
1492, was the day Columbus discovered America. 

"Mr. Noce endeavored to have a Columbus monument 
erected, but it was never carried out, and then he turned his 
attention to makins; October 12 a legal holiday." 



40 

(From the "Denver Evening Times," Ellis Meredith, Legislative 
reporter, January 16, 1905, and afterwards copied by "The 
Westea Newspaper Union," and republished by them in 
over 250 country newspapers) : 

"House Bill No. 65, by Mr. Bromley, might be entitled, 
'An Act for an Act to remind the People of Colorado." It is a 
"request" Bill, introduced at the solicitation of Mr. Angelo 
Noce, ppeaking for a large number of his countrymen. The 
Bill provides that October 12 of each year hereafter shall be a 
legal holiday, to be known as COLUMBUS DAY, and observed 
as a legal holiday. 

"This has been a dream of Mr. Noce and the leading spirits 
among the Italian people in Colorado, who undertook once to 
raise a statue to the memory of the great Genoese. Denver, 
as usual, was indifferent, but Pueblo made an attempt to re- 
spond and a massive base for such a statue was set up and 
still awaits the coming of its crown. A Genoese also, though 
for many years an American citizen and for twenty-four years 
a resident of Colorado, Mr. Noce has hit upon a happy way of 
commemorating the memory of Columbus. The fact that the 
Bill was introduced Friday, the 13th, which would seem fairly 
inviting the wrath of fate, will not affect that the Bill w^as intro- 
duced Friday and discovered land on Friday. Friday has always 
been a lucky day for this country. 

"There are in Colorado some 18,000 Italians, most of them 
very hard working and industrious people, some of them highly 
cultured, but the average American child sums up all the sons 
of the erstwhile mighty Roman empire in the one term of 
derision, 'Dago,' and lets it go at that. Perhaps if. once a 
year, this self-sufficient young person should hear something 
of the struggles, the courage, the indomitable perseverance of 
Columbus, the tragic story of defeat and the more tragic story 
of success that ended in prison, it might make him a little less 
bumptious, a little better mannered to his dark-eyed, olive- 
skinned comrades at school." 



(From the Colorado Graphic, a legal journal, Hon. Rol)ert H. 
Latta, Editor and Proprietor, January 28, 1905: 
"We are very much pleased to see that H. B. No. 65, 
entitled: 'A Bill Creating October 12th (Columbus Day) a legal 
holiday.' was printed and returned to the Judiciary. This Bill 
was introduced into the House of Representatives at the re- 
quest of Mr. Angelo Noce by Hon. Emmet Bromley, of Adams 
county. This was a good and patriotic idea, and we hope that 
it will pass." 




MISS ELLIS MEREDITH, 

Ex-Legislative Reporter and now President of the Election Com- 
mission of Denver, who was the first to announce in newspaper 
columns the introduction of the Columbus Day Bill in the 
Colorado Legislature. 



43 

Denver Examiner, January 28. 1905, a legal journal edited and 
IHiblished by the Secretary of the Colorado Bar Association. 
Hon. .T. M. Lomery: 

"Through the efforts of Mr. Angelo Noce, House Bill 65 has 
been introduced by Representative Bromley, making October 
12th of each year a legal holiday, to be known as Columbus 
Day. The Bill has been read and ordered printed, and stands 
a good chance of becoming a law." 



"ANGELO NOCE TO INDEX PEABODY-ADAMS RECORD. 
Rocky Mountain News. April 19, 1905. 

"Angelo Noce, a veteran printer of Denver, has been ap- 
pointed by Secretary of State Cowie to index the proceedings 
in the Peabody-Adams contest. Mr. Noce began his work yes- 
teiday in room 29, Capitol building. 

"It will require several weeks to complete the task. Mr. 
Noce bears the distinction of being the first Italian ever em- 
ployed at the State House. Eight years ago he was proof- 
reader for the Enrolling Committee of the House. HE WAS 
INTERESTED IN THE BILL INTRODUCED IN THE RECENT 
LEGISLATURE BY SENATOR BARELA, SETTING ASIDE 
OCTOBER 12 AS COLUMBUS DAY. MR. NOCE DREW THE 
ORIGINAL BILL AND GAVE IT TO REPRESENTATIVE 
BROMLEY TO INTRODUCE. WHEN SENATOR BARELA 
INSISTED UPON THE HONOR." 



(Extract from "II Grido del Popolo,' September 25. 1907. 
Frank Mancini, publisher.) 

• •**** Siamo informati che Gran Maresciallo della 
parata fu nominato I'amico Sig. Angelo Noce. II Signor Noce 
meritava davvero tale onore. perche' egli a buon diritto puo' 
essere intitolato il padre del Columbus Day nel Colorado per 
quanto vi ha lavorato. E'dunque giusto ora che i suoi sforzi 
furono coronati dal piu" lieto successo. che egli riceva il premio 
di tante fatiche. Un bravo va dato alia Corte (Corte Vittorio 
Emanuele III., A. O. F.,) festeggiante per la splendida scelta 
del Gran Maresciallo." 



Celebrating the First Legal 
Holiday. 

The Bill did not, for want of time, become a law at 
this session of the Fifteenth General Assembly, although 
it was on the calendar for third reading. At the following 
session, the Sixteenth General Assembly, the same bill was 
again introduced and it passed without the change of a 
syllable, or the dotting of an "i" or crossing of a "t," as I 
had written it. 

In that year (1907) Octol)er 12th was celebrated in 
a most dignified manner, under the auspices of Corte Vit- 
torio Emanuello III, A. 0. F. This Lodge of Foresters, 
recognizing and appreciating my merit as the author of 
the Columbus Day Bill, honored me with the position of 
Grand ^Marshal of tiie parade for that occasion. Then on 
January 10th, 1!)08, as a further compliment, this Lodge 
voted and presented me with a neatly engrossed testi- 
monial of merit. (I shall repi-oduce it in the Italian, fear- 
ing it may lose its beauty in the translation) : 

ATTESTATO DI MERITO 
Conferito ad 
ANGELO NOCE, fii Giacomo, 
SOCIETA' VITTORIO EMANUELE III. 
Antico Ordine Foresters. No. 8909. 
Considerando che il Sig". Angelo Noce e' state il solo fantore 
e promotore della Legge ai)provata dalla Legislatura di questo 
Stato di Colorado, che stabilisce il 12 Ottobre di ciascun anno 
festa legale Nazionale; Considerando che nella prima di queste 
i'esre. celebrata il 12 Ottobre. 1907. con una grandiosa parata 
per Iniziativa di questa Societa' Vittorio Emanuele III. 11 Sig. 
Noce. nouiinato per quelloccasione GRAN MARESCIALLO, si 
distinse per i servigi resi, a far si' che quella parata avesse un 
esito brillante, 



48 

Questo sodalizio, commemorando ed apprezzando le alte 
doti del Signer Noce, spese a pro" del "COLUMBUS DAY," come 
pegno di gratitudine, gii rilascia questo Attestato. 

Dato dalla Sede della Societa' questo XIX Ottobre MCMVII. 

FELICE LEPORE, 

Presidente. 

DARIO CATIGNANL 

Segretario. 

FRANK FALICO. Manager. 

MICHELE PERILLO, Tesoriere. 

ROCCO SMALDONE. 

Segretario del Comitato. 
(Sigillo.) 



The Italian Consul and the Governor's Pen. 

Now, let me turn back a step, towit : On November 
4, 1905, the then Italian Consul for this district, Cav. Pas- 
quale Corte, in the presence of a large and respectable 
number of Italians, at his residence. No. l-AT-l Gilpin St.. 
this city, delivered a glowing address and stated that be- 
yond my being the autlior of the Columbus Day Bill. I 
had successfully obtained the proclamation from Governor 
McDonald. 

I had previously selected a young Genoese girl to 
present to the Consul the pen with which his Excellency, 
Governor McDonald, had signed the proclamation de- 
claring October 12, 1905, a legal holiday, with the request 
that saiH pen should, through the Italian reiu'esentative, 
be sent to Genoa, Italy, and this he promised to do. 

It was on this ever memorable occasion that the rep- 
resentative of the Royal Italian Goveriunent, Cav. Pas- 
quale Corte, who after speaking at length and commend- 
ing me, in the i^resence of the re])orters for the Post, 
Times, News and Republican, as well as the Italians, pre- 




z 



:^ 



51 




GENERAL CHAS. D. PFAFFLIN, 

Chief of Staff, Columbus Day Celebration, Oct. 12, 1907. 



To Gen. Charles D. Pfafflin, chief of staff, we owe the 
deepest debt of gratitude for the great assistance he gave 
the Italian colony of Denver in organizing and making,, 
tinder the law, the first Columbus Day parade, October 12, 
1907, such a grand success. It is through this noble mili- 
tary gentleman that the foreign (military) societies hon- 
ored us in the parade and exercises. This oid veteran cer- 
tainly deserves all the credit for the magnificent specta- 
cle and so ably written up and cartooned by the Denver 
newspapers. 





IGENERAL ('HAS. I). PFAFFL IN— Chief of Staff. 



sented to me and pinned upon the lapel of my coat an ar- 
tistically designed and beautifully engraved gold medal — 
the gift of my admiring friends as a token of my inde- 
fatigable efforts to secure Colunil)us Day as a holiday. 



From the Denver Post of November 5, 19ii5 — Extract: 

■"A pleasant surprise was sprung on Consul Corte yesterday 
afternoon when a delegation of prominent Italians called at his 
home 1474 Gilpin Street, and presented him with the pen used 
by Governor McDonald in signing the proclamation creating 
October 12 a legal holiday, to be known as "Columbus day." 

Colorado is the first State to declare the day a holiday. 
The Italian residents wanted to celebrate the signing of the 
proclamation, and so devised a little surprise on their Consul. 
A young Genoese girl made the presentation speeclr to which 
Consul Corte responded. After this Consul Corte decorated 
Angelo Noce. through whose efforts the Bill creating Columbus 
Day was introduced into the Legislature, with a gold medal, 
the gift of the Italian citizens of Denver . 



From the Denver Republican, Nov. .5, 1905: 

..* * * * Consul Corte asked for a rising toast to 
Christopher Columbus and Governor McDonald, making a brief 
speech in proposing it. He then presented in a formal manner 
a gold medal to Mr. Noce, thanking him for the interest he had 
taken in getting Columbus Day set aside for observance. Mr. 
Noce responded in an eloquent manner, speaking in the Italian 
language." 



"COLUMBUS DAY PEN WILL GO TO ITALY." 

From the Denver Daily News, November 5, 1905: 

"Colorado is the first State in the Union, the first State in 
the great company of States of North. South or Central America 
to set aside a day in commemoration of the discovery of the 
continent by Christopher Columbus and for this reason a num- 
ber of Italians assembled at the Italian Consulate yesterday 
afternoon to honor the man. Angelo Noce. who o'iginated the 
idea and also to nresent to the representative of the Italian 
Government, Consul Corte, the pen used by Governor McDonald 
in signing the original decree * * * When the small com- 
pany had .gathered in the drawing room of Signor Corte, a 



59 

young lady stepped forward and gracefully presented Signer 
Corte with a i)archment roll on which the pen was attached by 
rosettes of ribbon in the Italian colors, white, green and red. 
This formality over. Angelo Nooe, one of the best known of 
Denver's Italian colony, was decorated with a gold medal, the 
gift of his countrymen * * * SIGNOR CORTE WILL IMME- 
DIATELY FORWARD THE PARCHMENT AND PEN TO THE 
FOREIGN OFFICE." 



From L'Unione, Pueblo, Colo., November 17, 1905: 

"II 4 corrente, negli uffici Consolari di Denver, il Signor An- 
gelo Noce, presentava al Comm. Corte, la penna colla quale il Gov- 
ernatore dello Stato aveva firmato il Decreto del 'Columbus 
Day.' La sera stessa per opera di entusiastici amici, nell' uffi- 
cio del Consolato era pure presentata al signor Angelo Noce 
una medaglia d'oro a ricordo dell' opera sua prestata onde il 
governatore del Colorado iirmasse il decreto che proclamava il 
12 Ottobre scorso, festa dello stato. 

"Moltissimi erano gl 'italiani in quella sera al Consolato, 
dove si nasso' una deliziosa serata." 



From the Middle Park Times, September 12, 1905: 

..* * * After issuing the pi'oclamation Governor Mc- 

Donald handed the pen to Mr. Noce, — it was through the efforts 
of A. Noce that the bill recommending that October 12 be 
observed as Columbus Day in Colorado, was introduced." 



"COLUMBUS' LANDING COMMEMORATION DAY." 

From the Denver Republican. September 19, 1907: 

"The Italians of the city are preparing for the celebration 
of Columbus Day, October 12. The arrangements are in charge 
of Court Victor Emanuel III. No. 8908, of the Ancient Order of 
Foresters, which has a local membership of 200 members. This 
celebration is the result of the untiring efforts of Angelo Noce, 
the leader of the Italian colony, who succeeded in having a 
bill passed setting aside the landing of Columbus and the dis- 
covery of America * * * 



m 




m 



HON. HENRY A. BUCHTEL, 

Ex-Governor of Colorado, who signed the Bill, on April 1, 1907, 

which made October 12 a Legal Holiday, to be known as 

Columbus Day. 



(io 

"A LEGAL HOLIDAY." 
"Italians Hold Celebrations in Honor of Landing of Columbus." 
From the Denver Express, October 12. 1907: 

..* M= * * Governor Buchtel then made a short address 
upon the success of the first attempt to celebrate the new 
holiday. 

.'* * * * rpj-ig holiday in commemoration of the dis- 
covery of the Western Continent, although celebrated in sev- 
eral European countries, particularly In Spain and Italy, has 
never been advocated very strongly in the United States. But 
through the efforts of Mr. Noce. this State has been the first to 
recognize legally the day wanted by the Italians and Spaniards 
as their holiday. The day has been set, and the pageant this 
morning gives additional proof of the statements made by Mr. 
Noce that the people of Southern Europe consider it a day for 
general rejoicing, whether in their native land or in a foreign 
country," said the Governor. 

(The above address, in part, was delivered by His Excel- 
lency Governor Buchtel, October 12, 1907, on the platform erected 
on the steps of the Capitol to the Italians there gathered in 
honor of Columbus.) 



From The Columbiad, National Official organ of the Knights of 
Columbus, issue of November, 1908: 

"In Denver, Colorado: — Denver Council, .539, celebrated 
Discovery or Columbus Day in a befitting manner. After a 
short business session the Grand Knight turned the meeting 
over to the Lecturer — . 

"The Italian Societies celebrated the day with a parade. 
The procession was reviewed by Governor Buchtel and staff. 
Flags floated in many public buildings and business houses. 

"Mr. Angelo Noce rode in a carriage in the parade with the 
well known pnd highly respected and admired Italian priest. 
Father Thomas Morescheni. To Mr. Noce more than any other 
Italian is due the credit for the establishment of Columbus Day 
as a legal holiday in Colore do, the first State in the Union to 
take such action. For over thirty years the idea of trying to 
do justice to his distinguished countryman (Mr. Noce being a 
Genoese, like Columbus I has been almost a mania with him, 
and the bill passed by the Colorado Legislature is an EXACT 
COPY of one drawn up by Mr. Noce over thirty years ago. 
The writer makes this statement in justice to Mr. Noce. In 
the evening of life he feels very happy that his adopted State, 
Colorado, honors his countryman." 



64 

From the Typographical Journal, official organ of the I 1 U.. 
No. 6, Vol. 31; December number, 19(17: 

"* * * * Angelo Noce, a Union i)rinter since 1868, and 
a member of No. 49 since 1882, is endeavoring to secure a posi- 
tion as interpreter in the United States Immigration Service. 
He has taken two examinations, one as watchman, in which he 
stood third in rank, and the other was for interpreter, for which 
he stood 90 per cent, in French, Spanish and Italian. Mr. Noce 
is a very competent man for either position, and esi)ecially for 
the one as interpreter, as he is a fluent linguist in th(> lan- 
guages mentioned, as well as being a first-class English scholar. 
He is the author of the bill passed in our State (Colorado) Legis- 
lature creating Columbus Day — October 12. 



"ITALIANS PREPARE FOR CELEBRATION OF 
COLUMBUS DAY." 

From the Pueblo Chieftain, October 7, 1908: 

"Special to the Chieftain: 

"Denver, Oct. 6. — Great preparations are being made for 
the celebration of Columbus Day, October 12. As is well 
known this is a State holiday, having been made so by the last 
Legislature through the efforts of Angelo Noce of this city. 

"Mr. Noce is one of the leading Italians of Colorado. For 
thirty-two years he worked to secure recognition for his coun- 
trymen in the way of a holiday commemorating the discovery 
of America. He was successful ." 



After all the foregoing testimonials and endorsements, 
I certainly believed that I had seen my idea and my 
dream transformed into substantial reality ; and due rec- 
ognition and credit were bestowed upon me from all prop- 
er sources. Btit there were some notable instances of fla- 
grant treachery on the part of well known, but scantily re- 
spected Italians, whom I disdain to mention as my fellow- 
countrymen. 

These men tried to place to their own credit all that 
I had done, and put me in the third line as an assistant of 
theirs. But neither will be able to falsify or forge the 
facts, nor will they be able to destroy existing and palpa- 




CONSUL CORTE PINNING THE GOLD MEDAL ON MR. NOCE. 
By Courtesy of the Denver Evenixg Post, Xoveiuber 5, 19Uo 



67 

ble documents, or silence respectable persons and political 
authorities, or newspaper notices which have appeared 
both in the English and Italian papers. 

TRUTH is but ONE— and sooner or later '-TRUTH 
will prevail." 

In this respect and exactly here (fitting the occasion 
as tight as a glove), I desire to again call attention to a 
few Italian newspaper articles : 



From il "Roma," of November 11th, 1905: 
"NEL CONSOLATO." 

"Sabato, 4 corrente, nel Consolato d'ltalia in Denver, d'retto 
con zelo impareggiabile e con tatto fine e dellcato dall'egregio 
gentiluomo Conte P. Corte, ebbe luogo una festa intima e bella, 
che lascio'nel cuore di tutti lieto e caro ricordo. 

Angelo Noce, che tutti sanno ed apprezzano per le ottime 
qualita' del sue cuore, voile presentare al Sig. Console la penna 
con la quale il Governatore di questo Stato firmo' ii decreto, che 
proclama il 12 Ottobre festa nazionale, sotto il nome di COLUM 
BUS DAY. II pensiero gentile dell' amico Noce fu molto au- 
prezzato e quando assieme a lui altri signori si unirono per ia 
cerimonia nella semplice intimita' ebbe un effetto bellissimo. 

Notammo il caro e amabile D. Felice Lepor^, il DOTTOR 
ALBI, etc, II Console, coadiuvato dall'egregio V. Console G. 
Servadio, accolse il pensiero gentile con espressioni di affetto 
e di simpatia ed in quella occasione voile consegnare al Sig. 
Noce un' artistica medaglia d'oro che alcuni ammiratori de I'opera 
del Noce a pro del nome Italiano, specie per il 'Columbus Day,' 
hanno voluto regalare perche' si possa anche dire chi lavora e' 
apprezzato. 

Una falange di Reporters del magni giornali di questa Ca- 
pitale assalirono il Consolato. e I'indomani tutti con entusiasmo 
parlarono del gentile e delicato pensiero del Signor Noce. 

Noi nel registrare questi fatti ci rallegriamo non poco, pe- 
rocche' essi tornano ad onore del nostro nome, e fanno si' che 
noi veniamo tenuti in quella stima e reputazione che per legge 
storica ci spettano." 



68 

From "La Nazione." of NoAjcmber 11th, 1905: 

"ANCORA DEL COLUMBUS DAY. 

"Riportiamo qui sotto il dispaccio telegrafico che S. E. il 
Ministero degli Esteri, faceva tenere a questo lUnio. Console 
Generale Comm. Corte a proposito del Columbus Day. 

Roma, 1.5 Ottobre. 1905. 
Signor R. Console Corte. 

Denver. Colorado. 

II Signor Sindaco di Genova, al quale ho fatto pervenire, a 
suo tempo, secondo quanto era detto nel rapporto ddla S. V. 
delli 11 .settembre u. .s. N. 116, roriginale del docreto che pro- 
clama festlvo, al Colorado, col titolo di 'Columbus Day,' I'anni- 
versario del giorno in cui Cristoforo Colombo sbarco' in Ameri- 
ca, mi fa conoscere, in risposta, che quel documento sara' con- 
servato nell'archivio storico di quella citta' siccome titolo ono- 
rifico per Genova e per I'ltalia, e mi chiede che sia fatta giun- 
gere al Governatore di quello Stato la espressione dei senti- 
menti di gratitudine della oittadinanza genovese. 

Nello interessare la Signoria Vostra ad assecondare tale 
richiesta, La prego di voler aggiungere che il R. Governo ha 
eon compiacimento appresa la deliberazione da Lei notificatami. 

Gradisca, Signor Console, gli atti della mia distinta con- 
siderazione. 

II Ministero Degl'Esteri." 



"Sabato della scorsa settimana, negli Qffici del R. Conso- 
lato, il Signore Angelo Noce in presenza di varii Italiani pre- 
sento' al Comm. Corte la penna, con la quale il Governatore 
dello Stato proclamo' la festa di Colombo, e che era attaccata ad 
un foglio di pergamena mediante tre nastri rappresentanti i 
colori della Bandiera della nostra Patria. 

"Come venne annunziato dal nostro giornale, tempo fa, 
vari amici vollero dare una riconoscenza al Signore Angelo 
Noce, per tutto quello. che lui fece per ottenere I'approvazione 
del Columbus Day. Ed infatti fecero preparare una medaglia 
dt oro con I'incisione per lo scopo, la quale Sabato stesso dal 
Console Corte venne consegnata al Signor Angelo Noce. Dopo 
I'una e I'altra funzione, il Comm. Corte fece servire ai presenti 
dei complimenti per la sua provata soddisfazione." 



69 

Now, I, Angelo Noce, did not give the pen to Cav. 
Pasquale Corte that he should keep it as his own, but I 
consigned it to him as a public functionary for the Italian 
Government, to be by him transmitted to the City of 
Genoa, Italy, the birthplace of Colombo. 

And Pasquale Corte, in place of carrying out my re- 
quest, as he had promised to do, kept the pen, and by so 
doing Genoa and its citizens did not know that a son of 
Genoa, Angelo Noce, had not forgotten the land of his 
birth and was the prime mover in having the great Navi- 
gator honored in the land he discovered, and that October 
12th had been legally declared a holiday, to be known as 
"COLUMBUS DAY." 

When I discovered that Corte had failed to do as he 
had agreed, I was very much troubled, not so much for 
the reason that I was deprived of the credit due me, a 
merit acquired by my unwearied good will, as because of 
the attempt to take away from me the gratitude of my 
fellow citizens. 

Pasquale Corte, a functionary worthy of public repro- 
l)ation, deplored by many of his fellow-countrymen both 
here and in his country, yet extends hypocritically to me 
liis right hand of friendship, was deceiving me with his 
honeyed words and diplomatic falsehoods, by telling me 
that he had sen| the pen to the Genoese authorities, when 
he knew full well that all of such statements were false. 

But the day of retribution (Redde Rationem) will at 
no distant period come, and at that time the deities fallen 
from the Olympus, and the demi-gods will be severely 
judged. Even the colonies have their history ; and the 
history of the Italian colony of Denver — impartially writ- 
ten — will give each one that which he justly earned and 
deserves. 

And I, Angelo Noce, who have already passed the 
three-score years, have reaped nothing but bitterness. 



70 

f^rief and deceit for my effort in tryinj; to honor my coun- 
trymen. 

But it was not the deceit of Corte that was to me so 
painful and distressing, as the unmerited defamation so 
coarsely played by Corte and his associates. And I well 
remembei- what Cavaliere Doctor Rudolph Albi, the 
frankest one of the whole retinue of Corte, told me : 

"To you, Angelo Noce, belongs the merit and honor of the 
Cohimbus Day, but to you this honor and merit we will contest 
and will not give it to you. If you were one of our "gang" you 
would before this have been created a Chevalier." 

Prospero Frazzini, another of Corte 's creation to 
Chevaliership, caused to be transcribed from the Secre- 
tary of State's office certain documents— my own labor — 
and had them sent east, claiming credit for same. I do 
not like to dwell upon his transactions. I will draw^ down 
upon the poor being the "curtain of sympathy." When, 
however, I spoke to Corte about Frazzini and this matter, 
Corte answered : ' ' Perhaps for to get superior honors. ' ' 

And yet these parties are so small as to be utterly lost 
as they move among men ; have seen the sign of admira- 
tion and enthusiasm to me made by my countrymen in 
various reunions and public parades, and also by the pub- 
lic press of this city, as the author of the Columbus Day 
Bill. 

1 desire also to express my thanks in the most grate- 
ful terms to Hon. Emmet A. Bromley and Governor Jesse 
F. McDonald. It was due to the efforts of the former 
that the bill was introduced in the Assembly and its pas- 
sage finally secured. Due thanks also must be given to 
the latter for his interest in proclaiming October 12th a 
legal holiday and the affixing of his signature to the 
proclamation, thereby bringing about the realization of 
the one great ideal of my life. 







PION. JAS. J. McFEELY, 
Past G. K., Victor-Cripple Creek Council No. 625, K. of C. 



To this public spirited gentleman we are indebted in great part 
for his efforts inbehalf of the Columbus Day Bill. 






A Present to the Knights of 
Columbus. 

The gold mounted and beautifully engraved pen used 
by Governor Jesse F. McDonald in signing the second 
proclamation declaring October 12, 1906, a legal holiday, 
was presented to me by his excellency. I, in turn, do- 
nated it to Denver Council No. 539, Knights of Columbus. 
In well-chosen words the presentation was made by an 
Italian-American young lady at a K. of C. entertainment 
held on the evening of October 12, 1906. Grand Knight 
F. J. Cavanaugh accepted the pen on behalf of the Coun- 
cil, and gave a history of my efforts in the matter of se- 
curing October 12 as a legal holiday and called me to the 
platform. The hall was tastefully decorated, and the 
audience — very large — was the most select gathering I 
have ever had the honor to greet. 

In part I said: "I have started the Columbus Day 
movement and now. Knights of Columbus, it is up to you to 
complete my undertaking.'' 

I bow with respect to the Knights of Columbus for 
the grand success. 

The pen and the governor's letter to me may be seen 
hanging on the wall of one of the spacious apartments of 
the Knights of Columbus building in this city. 

I would be ungrateful if I failed to thank Governor 
Henry A. Buchtel, who used his best efforts for the pas- 
sage of the bill through the legislature, and as soon as it 
was passed took great pleasure and pride in having the 
privilege of affixing his signature to the same, and by so 
doing he became the first Governor in these United States 
to sign a bill passed by a state legislature declaring Octo- 
ber 12, Columbus Day, a legal holiday. 

Thanking all for consideration given, I now respect- 



74 

fully ask your indulgence for the introduction of the fol- 
lowing documents that are now in the archives of the 
Italian Consulate, this city, and copy of which I entrust for 
care-taking and safekeeping to the Knights of Columbus: 
In closing my narration, I desire to heartily thank 
those kind and good friends, — ladies and gentlemen, — who 
have assisted me in my efforts and aims. Words cannot 
express my feelings of gratitude to the Hon. James J. Mc- 
Feely, Advocate Giuseppe Sacco, Samuel H. Wood, Miss 
Ellis Meredith, Robert II. Latta, Alfred C. Montgomery, 
John B. MeGauran, Frank Mancini, F. Moracci, Charles A. 
Bonfils, Joel W. Orvis, Cav. Adolfo R.ossi, Frank Mazza, 
Giuseppe Orrochi, Felice Lepore, E. K. Whitehead, Secre- 
tary State Bureau of Child and Animal Protection ; L. J. 
Stark, the then attorney for Consul Corte ; David 'Brien, 
lecturer of the Knights of Columbus; Rev. Father Piccoli, 
Vincenzo Reda, fu Domenico ; Joe Cordano, fu Gian Bat- 
tista ; Alva A. Swain, Denver representative The Pueblo 
Chieftain; Joseph G. Brown, journalist and special writer. 
Denver; Jerome C. Smiley, Historian, Denver; Frank 
Graves ; Mrs. Loretta E. Wheeler, nee Schneider ; and the 
newspapers in general. 



A Letter to Mr. Chiariglione. 



Mr. Hector Chiariglione, Editor of L'Unione, of Pue- 
blo, Colo., having used the columns of his paper in trying 
to deceive our countrymen as to who is entitled to the 
credit of having first suggested that Columbus Day be 
made a legal holiday in this state, and in the same articles 
taken all credit to himself and one B. Ciambelli as being 
the parties who should receive all the honor, when he and 
his co-deceiver, Ciambelli, knew at the time that every 
statement made by them, and any attempt to take any 
credit whatever for work done towards having October 12 



75 

declared a legal holiday, was absolutely false and made 
only for the purpose of deceiving our people. After their 
articles were published it was my desire to answer them at 
once, that my countrymen might know the facts, but on 
the advice of the then Consul Corte I refrained from mak- 
ing any public comment on their false statements, and the 
said Corte jiromised me on his honor as a man that he 
would make an official statement regarding the whole 
matter, and publicly notify Chiarigiione and Ciambelli 
and all others, that I alone was entitled to all the honor 
and credit for having first suggested that October 12 be de- 
clared a legal holiday in Colorado, to be known as Colum- 
bus Day. 

Afterward, learning to my great sorrow that former 
Consul Corte "was tarred with the same stick," and, on 
account of his dealings with different "bankers," was 
afraid and too cowardly to publish the statement he agreed 
to, I wrote the following letter to the said Chiarigiione, 
with the request that he publish same in L'Unione, that 
his readers (though few in number) might learn the truth, 
and an honorable man would have published same, but 
Chiarigiione, not belonging to that class, refused to do so, 
and I am pleased to state that Giuseppe Sacco, then editor 
of "II Risveglio," did me the honor of publishing the 
letter in full, and for so doing I now offer him my heartfelt 
thanks. 

The following is the letter which explains itself: 

DENVER, COLO., Oct. 29, 1907. 
Editor of "L'Unione," 

Pueblo, Colorado. 
Dear Sir: 

Since the Bill was introduced in the Legislature of the 
State of Colorado on January 13, 1905, by the Hon. Emmet 
Bromley, of Adams county, which Bill was known as "Columbus 
Day Bill," there appears to be a disposition on the part of your- 
self and one or two others to claim the credit for the introduction 



7« 

of said Bill, or to at least claim that you and they are entitled 
to the credit of suggesting the same. It also appears from your 
paper that you have mentioned my name in connection with 
the matter, and my attention has lately been called to an open 
letter signed by one B. Ciambelli, who was at one time an asso- 
ciate editor of your paper. 

I desire to say that my financial condition will not permit 
me to own a newspaper, or to pay for space therein, in order 
to set our peo])le right upon the facts regarding said Bill. I have 
therefore kept quiet, and permitted you to make any statements 
that you have desired to make in connection with same, but I 
believe that it is now time to ask that you publish the facts 
so that my countrymen may know the truth regarding the Bill 
and all connections therewith. 

I desire to say, first, that thirty-one years ago, October 12th, 
we celebrated Columbus Day in San Francisco, California, and 
I was First Assistant to the Grand Marshal of the day. at which 
time the Italians of San Francisco and surrounding country 
gathered in large bodies; and again in Eureka, Nevada, during 
the years 1879 and 1880, I spoke to my Italian friends about 
celebrating October 12th in honor of Christopher Columbus, 
but on account of labor troubles at that time no steps were taken 
to observe the day. 

On May 10th, 1882, I arrived in Denver, and from that day 
down to the present time I have lost no opportunity to suggest 
and agitate among my countrymen the formation of Columbus 
societies in honor of Columbus, that his name might be held in 
high esteem by all. 

During the years 1890 and 1891. I suggested to the mem- 
bers of the Legislature of the State of Colorado, that a bill be 
passed appropriating a certain amount of the public funds to 
erect a monument to Columbus, and at the same time I tried 
to get a bill introduced in the Legislature creating October 12th 
a legal holiday, but unfortunately the time for the introduction 
of bills in the Legislature had passed, as of course you are 
aware that all bills must be introduced within the first thirty 
days of the session; but I am pleased to note, in this connec- 
tion, that our good and loyal countrymen from all parts of the 
country contributed funds by which a monument has been 
erected in the City of Pueblo which bears your name as one of 
the originators of the Monument. 

During the year 1904 my friend the Hon. Emmet Bromley 
had been elected as Representative to the State Legislature, 
and I requested him to introduce the Columbus Day Bill, which 
he agreed to do, and on or about January 6. 1905, being one of 
the first days of the session of the Legislature, I introduced 
Mr. Bromley to the Hon. Count Pasquale Corte. and informed 
the Count of my doings regarding the Bill. I drafted the Bill 



and submitted it to the Hon. L. J. Stark for revision, and Mr. 
Stark made one interlineation to same. I afterwards submitted 
that draft to Dr. R. Albi of this city, at which time Mr. Albi 
suggested that the Bill should be typewritten, which I then had 
done by Miss Kane, a stenographer of this city, for which she 
made no charge. On Friday, January 13, 1905, I requested Dr. 
Albi to go with me to the Capitol, but on account of business 
engagements he was unable to accompany me. I then requested 
Ciccio Anselmo to accompany me. but that gentleman declined 
with a smile. I then went to the Capitol myself, and handed 
the typewritten Bill to Representative Bromley, and the same 
was introduced by Mr. Bromley in the House of Represen- 
tatives. I then had a cut made of Mr. Bromley, which I had 
published in your paper on or about January 18, 1905, for the 
purpose of showing our countrymen the picture of the man 
who was willing to do all he could to establish Columbus Day 
as a legal holiday in this State. 

A few days after the introduction of the Bill in the House 
by Representative Bromley, Senator Casimiro Barela, who for 
twenty-six years has represented his district in the Senate of 
this State from Las Animas county, called on Mr. Bromley and 
asked him for a copy of the Bill so that he (Senator Barela) 
might introduce it in the Senate. Mr. Bromley gave an exact 
oopy of the Bill to the Senator who, in turn, on the eighteenth 
of January. 1905, introduced it in the Senate. I watched the Bill 
closely, and took pleasure in mentioning my actions and the 
Bill's progress in the Legislature to Count P. Corte, whom I 
visited almost daily, and also informed Dr. Albi and others of 
the progress of the Bill. 

After the Bill had been introduced B. Ciambelli, then Editor 
of "L'Unione," took advantage of what I was doing and claimed 
all credit for what I had done. He went so far as to send a 
letter to the "Follia" of New York City, giving credit to him- 
self for the authorship of the Bill. I afterwards accused the 
said Ciambelli of unmanliness and dishonorable conduct on ac- 
count of his actions regarding this Bill. I charged him with 
dishonorable conduct in the presence of Dr. R Albi, Ciccio 
Anselmo. and I believe. Aiello of Berwind. Colorado. 

After the Bill had been introduced, as above stated, Dr. R. 
Albi, wishing to show our friends, the Hon. Emmet Bromle' 
and Casimiro Barela, that our countrymen appreciated their ser- 
vices in the Legislature regarding the Bill, invited the Honor 
able gentlemen and several others to assemble at his (D;. 
Albi's) residence for a social gathering, which invitation thoy 
accepted. 

During the time the Bill was in the Legislature I was 
present every day, speaking to the different members in favor 
of the Bill, and with hardly one Italian assisting me. I com- 



78 

plained to the Italian Consul of the lack of interest the Italians 
were taking in the Bill, at which time Count Corte had several 
persons go with me to assist me in my work in that respect. 
I was assisted by Mr. Prospero Frazzini on one occasion, and 
by Dr. Albi on two or three occasions. Ciambelli may have vis- 
ited the building, but I do not remember of ever seeing him 
there in the halls of the House or Senate. It was through the 
kind assistance of American friends, both ladies and gentlemen, 
that the Bill got on the calendar for third reading in that Legis- 
lature, when on motion made by the Hon. Wilbur F. Cannon 
the House adjourned from Saturday to Monday, being the list 
day of the Legislature, and many good bills, including Columbus 
Day Bill, did not reach, the third reading, and therefore failed 
of passage. 

At the last session of the Legislature, to-wit, the Sixteenth 
General Assembly, the Hon. Casimiro Barela introduced the 
Columbus Day Bill, which finally passed and became a law, but 
that bill, as introduced by the Honorable Senator, is an exact 
copy, word for word, as that introduced on the thirteenth of 
January, 1905, by the Hon. Emmet Bromley and by Senator 
Barela on January 18, 1905, with the addition reading from the 
word "Piovided," etc. 



Now, Mr. Chiariglione, I have given you a statement of the 
facts as to my connection with the Columbus Day Bill, and I 
trust that I have made it clear enough so that neither you nor 
others will in the future claim any credit what-^ver for suggest- 
ing the advisability of having October 12th declared a legal 
holiday in this State. 



1 have in my possession the very first draft, with the inter- 
lineation, of the Bill, which I will cheerfully exhil)"t to you or 
any one else, if by so doing it will convince you of the truth- 
fulress of this statement. That co])y has been seen by the Hjn. 
Count P. Corte, Messrs. M. Jachetta, Peppino Maio and many 
others. 



1 regret very much that anything I may have done in behaJf 
of my countryman who was born on the same soil that I was, 
should have stirred up such bitter feelings regarding this mat- 
ter, but I trust that you will publish this letter as I have written 
it, and that hereafter no more controversies will appear in 
public print or elsewhere regarding who is the author or who 
VPS the author of the Columbus Day Bill. 



And now, Mr. Editor, I want to say that I am your friend 
now as I have been in the past, and I hope that nothing will 
occur that will make our relationship unpleasant. I desire to 
say that, unsolicited by me. the Italian Minister of Foreign 
Affairs saw proper to have conveyed to me a beautiful letter 
of thanks for services which I have rendered to my countrymen 
in Eureka, Nevada, and I hope that my connection with the 
Columbus Day Bill and Monument, along with other services 
which I have rendered my countrymen, I will some day receive 
at least proper credit for; but whether I do or not my con- 
science is clear, feeling that I have done my duty, nothing 
more, and nothing less. 

Most respectfully, 

ANGBLO NOCE, fu Giacomo. 

2342 Curtis Street, Denver, Colo. 




(Original draft of Columbus Day Bill written by An- 
gelo Noce and corrected or interlined by Hon. L. J. Stark, 
the then attorney and counselor for Italian Consul Corte.) 

By courtesy from "II Risveglio," October 12, 1909. 



CX^ C^<<.c.-t*^.<^-'t^-<. 



^ 



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f U. if2. .Jdi^ 6?-^ C^u^vo-^^i^M^ 

^*.^^.yi^ 35^ .^^.^^^tC Y^-?^^ ^^tz^ 



The Columbus Day Bills. 



Following are true copies of the duplicate bills as 
originally introduced in the House and Senate in 1905 : 

House Bill No. 65. Introduced January 13, 1905, by Mr. 
Bromley. 

A BILL 
FOR 

1 AN ACT DESIGNATING THE 12th DAY OF OCTOBER OF 

2 EACH YEAR AS A PUBLIC HOLIDAY, TO BE KNOWN 

3 AS "COLUMBUS DAY," AND TO REPEAL ALL ACTS 

4 OR PARTS OF ACTS IN CONFLICT THEREWITH. 

5 Be it Enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Colo- 

6 rado: 

7 Section 1. The twelfth day of October of the present year 

8 of our Lord, 1905, and the 12th day of October of each 

9 year thereafter is hereby declared a public holiday, to be 

10 known as "Columbus Day," and the same shall be recog 

11 nized, classed and treated as other legal holidays under 

12 the laws of this State. 



84 

Senate Bill No. 115. Introduced January 18. 1905 by Sen- 
ator Barela. 

A BILL 
FOR 

1 AN ACT DESIGNATING THE 12th DAY OF OCTOBER OF 

2 EACH YEAR AS A PUBLIC HOLIDAY TO BE KNOWN 

3 AS "COLUMBUS DAY," AND TO REPEAL ALL ACTS 

4 OR PARTS OF ACTS IN CONFLICT THEREWITH. 

5 Be it Enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Colo- 

6 rado: 

7 Section 1. The 12th day of October of the present year 

8 of our Lord. 1905, and the 12th day of October of each 

9 year thereafter is hereby declared a public holiday, to be 

10 known as "Columbus Day," and the same shall be recog- 

11 nized, classed and treated as other legal holidays under 

12 the laws of this State. 



THE BILL AS ADOPTED. 

[Bill as passed into law by the Sixteenth General Assembly — 
1907, and signed April 1, 1907.] 

AN ACT. 

Designating the 12th day of October of each year as a public 
holiday, to be known as "Columbus Day." 

Be it Enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Colorado: 

Section 1. The 12th day of October of the present year of 
our Lord, 1907, and the 12th day of October of each year there- 
after is hereby declared a public holiday, to be known as 
"Columbus Day," and the same shall be recognized, classed and 
treated as other legal holidays under the laws of this State; 
Provided, that this Act shall not be construed to affect com- 
mercial paper, the making or execution of agreements or in- 
struments in writing or interfere with judicial proceedings. 

R. E. BRECKENRIDGE, 

Speaker of the House of Representatives. 

E. R. HARPER, 

President of the Senate. 

HENRY A. BUCHTEL, 

Governor of the State of Colorado. 



8o 
From the II Risveglio, Oct. 12, 1909. — ^F. Moracci, Editor. 

Si puo' scrivere e parlare del "Columbus Day" e tacere di 
Angelo Noce, il veterano fra i tipografi, uno dei pionieri che 
maggiormente onorano la patria di nascita e la libera terra di 
George Washington? 

Da quaranta anni appartiene all' 'Unione tipografica e fra i 
tipografi fu ed e' uno tra i primi. 

Noi non staremo qui a ripetere cio' che di Angelo Noce fu 
da altri detto e scritto, che cioe' lavoro' come tipografo nei 
principali giornali dell'Ovest, ne'rijiarleremo delle sue aderenze 
ed amicizie, ne' delle alte cariche da esso Noce degnamente co- 
perte per anni ed anni. 

Vogliamo solo accennare di volo che Noce non si valse 
della influenza a proprio vantaggio, ma la spese a pro di chi da 
lui soUecitava un favore. 

Egli nulla chiese per se, ma per gli altri, non guardando a 
perdita di tempo, ne' di denaro. 

Sovente raccolse in guiderdone I'ingratitudine, ma la disco- 
uoscenza umana mai distolse Noce dal beneficare cd a lui l)asto' 
come giusto compenso la soddisfazione della propria coscienza. 

Egli vive felice della feliclta* altrui e non raramente, se 
gli e' compenso I'ingiuria di quelli da lui beneficati, egli ne 
prova rammarico, ma non gia' per la messe ingrata raccolta e 
certo da lui non meritata, ma perche' in tal guisa egli vede 
crollare delle illusioni sull'amicizia di questo e di quello. 

Ad Eureka, Nevada, tanto si adopero' a vantag'-iio dei conna- 
zionali, da meritarsi lettere di ringraziamento dal ministro de- 
gli esteri del Rea;no d'ltalia. 

Non e' una biografia pero' che vogliamo oggi scrivere di 
Angelo Noce, tanto benemerito di questa Colonia e delle altre 
dove trascorse la sua gioventu', ma vogliamo solamente dimo- 
strare ai lettori come egli meriti il primo posto fra coloro che 
si adoperarono perche' il "Columbus Day" fosse riconosciuto 
giorno festive nel Colorado. 

Angelo Noce, da anni e anni fino dalla sua prima gioventu', 
si occupo' indefessamente, perche' Colombo anche in America 
avesse credito dell'opera grandiosa compiuta. 

Nel 1890, quasi alia vigilia del quarto centenario della 
scoperta dell'America, il nostro amico Angelo Noce si adopero' 
a tutt'uomo perche' qui a Denver sorgesse nella capitale del 
Colorado un monumento a Colombo. 

Gli spianava la via per la difficile impresa la presenza di 
un illustre artista, dello scultore Preston Powers, nato a 
Firenze, entusiasta dell'Italia. dei suoi monumenti, ed il pro- 
vetto nell'usare lo scalpello, si offri'di immortalare sul marmo 
la figura del Ligure Xocchiero. disposto a fare il lavoro semi- 
gratuito. comprendendo quale e quanto onore sarrebbe ridon- 



86 

dato sugl'italiani resident! nel Mondo da Colombo donato al 
Mondo. 

Purtroppo le nobili iniziative riscuotono il plauso del me- 
mento; poi si mettono in un canto, per dimenticaiie pin' tardi. 

Cosi' doveva essere del pro^etto di Angelo Noce, naufraga- 
to nel pelago deH'ohlio. nelle acque di Lete, per invidia e livo- 
re dei soliti cafoni i)rominenti, che nulla mai produssero di pro- 
flcuo, solo intenti a sfriittare e danneggiare il gregge coloniale. 

Si arrivo' al 12 Ottobre 1892, ma malgrado la buona volonta' 
di Angelo Noce, Preston Powers non pote' dar vita al marmo 
con lo scalpello magistrale. 

L'insuccesso pero' dovuto alia malvagita' altrui non disini- 
mo' il Noce. ne' egli desiste', perche' i suoi voti fossero coro- 
nati che. cioe' nella libera terra, di George Washington fosse 
sanzionata I'opera di Colombo, col dedicare un giorno per il 
corso dei secoli a lui immortale nella storia, nella scienza, nella 
civilta.' 

E fu Angelo Noce, il n^odesto cperajo della citta' cuna a 
Colombo, a Mazzini, a Balilla; a cori-ere di qua' e di la', a solleci- 
tare udienze, ad annoiare con insistenza e tenacia Ligure, e 
Deputati e Senatori e Govern atore del Colorado, percbe' i figli 
d'ltalia sentissero I'orgoglio di e'^sere nati nella terra del Genio 
e provassero la soddisfazione di dire ai cittadini di questa 
Grande Nazione: "Aniici, fu Cristoforo Colombo che dono' al 
mondo questo vasto mondo sconosciuto, e Cristoforo Colombo, 
come voi nacque in Italia nella Gloriosa Genova. regina del 
mare, che nel mare si specchia, una delle citta' italiche, cuna 
di liberta', e che tanto si coopero' per la indipendenza e I'unita' 
d'ltalia." 

Ed il patto di amiclzia sarebbe vieppiu' cementato fra i 
discendenti di popolo gia' dominatore e i figli di Uncle Sam, 
di una nazione giovane, libera e forte destinata a grandi eventi. 
se anclie in tutte le citta' sorges.se un monumento a Coloml)o. 

LeggetP in altra nagina di nuesto giornale T'Original Bill." 
del Columbus Day, ottenuto dal Noce, merce' la influenza de 
rOnorevole E. A. Bromley, e poi negate, se potete, al Noce il 
merito di vn giorno festive dedicpto alia memoria dl col'ii, che 
sovra agll altri come aquila vola, alia memoria di Cristoforo 
Colombo? 

II Comm. Pasquale Corte, il 15 Ottobre 1905, scriveva ad 
Angelo Noce, notificsndogli di aver ricevuto la penna con la 
quale il Governatore del Colorado firmava il decreto, che pro- 
clamava festa il 12 Ottobre di ogni anno, a perenne ricordo 
della scoperta dell'America. Nella lettera stessa lex Console 
Cav. Corte partecipava ad Angelo Noce di avere spedito detta 
penna, secondo il desiderio ed il volere del Noce stesso. al 



87 

Sindaco di Geneva, affinche' questi presentasse il modesto ma 
significante dono del Noce alia cittadinanza della Superba, dove 
Cristoforo Colombo ebbe i natali. 

L'opera di Angelo Nc"e non puo' essere lie' smentita, ne' 
disconosciuta, perche ridonda ad immenso lustro e decoro de 
ritalia. 

Oggi undici Stati deirUnione riconoscono quale festa, il 12 
Ottobre, e altri Stati lie stanno seguendo I'esempio. Significa 
che malgrado aiini e secoli, non pochi mettevano in dubbio che 
Cristoforo Colombo avessp seoperto I'Anierica. 

L'opera di Angelo Noce, di questo oscuro, ma onesto ope- 
raio, ha fatto si' che a Cristoforo Colombo sia resa completa 
glustizia, e che il grande evento emerga in tutta la sua gran- 
diosita'. 

Se ben si considera, Angelo Noce apparisce agli occhi degli 
italiani d'America e della Patria, benemerito della Storia, 
perche' nella Storia dei Due Mondi egli ha distrutto tutti gli 
antagonismi, gli scrittori e scrittorelli, che nel paese scoperto 
da Colombo, a Colombo contendevano il merito. 

Onore ad Angelo Noce. 



From the Denver Catholic Registei — Anniversary, and Knights 
of Columbus Edition. Oct. 28, 1909. 

ANGELO NOCE. 

Angelo Noce was mainly instrumental in securing the pas- 
sage of the Columbus Day measure by the Colorado legislature. 
Mr. Noce is proud of the fact, and he has reason to be. He is 
a native of the province of Genoa, and emigrated to the land of 
freedom in the early fifties, coming to Colorado in 1882. As 
early as 1891. he suggested to members of the legislature that 
a bill be passed granting an appropriation to erect a monument 
to the illustrious Columbus. At the same time he tried to get 
a bill introduced in the legislature creating October 12 a legal 
holiday. 

The "Columbus Day Bill," introduced by representative 
Bromley in the fifteenth general assembly, which measure did 
not reach third reading in time for passage was drafted by Mr. 
Noce and submitted to a Denver attorney who made one alter- 
ation. This was the same bill that Senator Barela introduced 
two vears later and which was enacted into law. 






# 




JOHN B. McGAURAN, 



Past Grand Knight of Denver Council, No. 539, K. of C. 
and Member of the Board of .Supervisors, City of Denver. 



Mr. McGaiiran is editor of The Denver Catholic Register 

and assisted in obtaining the passage of the "Columbus 

Day"' bill. The Italians owe this gentleman a 

debt of gratitude for his efforts. 



Miscellaneous Mention. 



Extract from the Butte, Montana, Evening News, March 12, 

1906: 

..**** Angelo Noce of Denver, who is sojourning In 
Butte, feels himself one of the most fortunate children of Sunny 
Italy in the United States. He is the framer of the Cohimbus 
Day Bill, which went before the Colorado Legislature at its 
last session, and while the Bill did not come up for a vote, Mr. 
Noce induce*^ Governor McDonald to issue a proclamation 
declaring October 12 last a public holiday. 



Extract from the Butte, Montana, Miner, March 15, 1906: 

"* * * * Mr. Noce is one of Denver's prominent resi- 
dents. He has been a member of the Typographical Union for 
thirty-flve years, having been a member of Denver Union for 
twenty-four years. Through the instigation of Mr. Noce a Bill 
was introduced into the Colorado Legislature providing for the 
setting aside of a day to be known as Columbus Day in honor 
of Christopher Columbus. * * *." 



COLUMBUS DAY IN MONTANA, TOO, NOW. 

Colorado's Example Is Followed and Anniversary of Discovery 

Is Made Legal Holiday. 
Extract from the Denver Republican of March 31, 1909: 

"Chiefly through the efforts of Angelo Noce, founder of 
Columbus bay in Colorado. Montana has followed this State's 
example and has made the anniversary of the discovery of 
America a legal holiday. Mr. Noce was so informed Monday by 
a letter from Barney Doldazelli, Royal Consular Agent for Italy 
in Montana. Mr. Doldazelli was instrumental in getting the Bill 
pushed through the Montana Legislature and was presented by 
the governor with a pen with which the measure was signed. 
Now the Italians of the State have started a movement to give 
him a medal for his work and Mr. Noce has been asked to 
send the medal which he received from the Italians of Colorado 
in order that a copy of it may be struck off for Consul Dolda 
zelli. Chevalier Adolphe Rossi, Italian Consul in Denver, will 
send a personal contribution towards the fund being raised in 
Montana for the purchase ol the medal. Colorado was the 
first State in the Union to establish Columbus Day. Now sev- 



92 

eral States have followed its example, notably New York. Mr. 
Noce was in Montana three years ago and stirred up enthus- 
iasm for the idea." 



Extract from "II Risveglio" of April 4, 1907: 

"Lunedi di questa settimana S. E. il governatore dello Stato 
firmo' la legge passata nella legislatura, con la quale si stabi- 
lisce festa legale ' in questo Stato il 12 Ottobre in commemo- 
razione della scoperta d'America. 

"* * * Gloria ad Angelo Noce, il vecchio Pionere, il 
forte entusiasta delle glorie della patria nostra, che solo ha 
combattuto presso influenti uomini politici di questo Stato, da 
tempo, per ottenere che il 12 Ottobre fosse stabilito festa 
nazionale del Colorado in commemorazione della scoperta 
d'America fatta da un italiano. Ed i suoi sforzi coadiuvati dal 
Senatore Barela furono lunedi coronati da esito brillante. 
Gloria, quindi, gloria ad Angelo Noce!" 



Extract (Italian), from "La Capitale," of April 3, 1907: 

"Lunedi" S. E. il Governatore Buchtel. firmo' il d^creto 

che proclama Festa Nazionale 'perenne il 'Columbus Day,' cioe' 
il 12 Ottobre, giorno in cui I'ardito esploratore tocco' la terra 
di America. 

"La propaganda fatta dai pionieri italiani (recatisi primi 
nel Colorado, quando per la prima volta a Golden fu trovato 
I'oro) perohe' il nome del nostro Colombo fosse pubblicamente 
onorato siccome quello dell'immortale Washington, data da 
molti anni; e siamo lieti constatare che venne iniziata da un 
gregario della Stampa, Angelo Noce, il quale primo nell'ovest 
fondo' il Giornale Italiano; e poi continuata dall' "Unione" e 
dal "Vindice" di Pueblo, dal locale "Roma," dal "Corriere" di 
Trinidad e da altri * * *. Lunedi' lo scopo finale venne raggiunto." 



Speaking of the 'Grand Celebration' had on October 12, 1908, 
in honor of Christopher Columbus, and of which Cavalier P. 
Albi was President of the Day, 'La Nazione' published in thL^ 
City, on November 6, 1908, reported as follows: 

APPUNTI: — 

"Fu male malissimo che innanzi alia Capitale nessuno 
italiano abbia fatto un discorso d'occasione. 

" Fu anche malissimo che nessuno s'abbia ricordato II 

nome del connazionale Sig. Angelo Noce, a lui deve andare 



93 

tributata tutta la lode ed il lavoro del COLUMBUS DAY, che 
abblamo e dobbiamo celebrare ogni anno pel nostro onore, come 
connazionali e per riconoscenza al grande navigatore Genovese 
Cristoforo Colombo. 

(Translation). 

NOTES:— "It was bad, very bad that in front of the Capito! 
no one Italian made a (discourse) speech of the occasion. 

" It was also very bad that no one remembered the 

name of the compatriot Mr. Angelo Noce; to him should be 
tributed all the labor and praise for the Columbus Day, that we 
have and must celebrate every year for our honor as compa- 
triots and as an acknowledgment to the grand Genoese navi- 
gator Cristoforo Colombo." 




Witnesses Who Leave no Question 
of Authorship. 



The following letters of eoiigratiilation and endorse- 
ment from members of the legislature, state officials, prom- 
inent Italian citizens and others, addressed to Mr. Noce, to 
the Italian Consnl in Denver and others, leave no ques- 
tion as to who originated and secured the passage of the 
Columbus Dav bill : 



HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, 
STATE OF COLORADO. 



Denver. Colo., Ai)ril 3rd, 1905. 



Mr. Angelo Noce. 
My Deer Sir: 



I desire to congratulate you for your noble and untiring 
efforts in behalf of the "Columbus Day" Bill. 

Had others worked half so well, success would undoubtedly 
have crowned your efforts. 

However, there is "another day" coming and may you finally 
achieve the success you deserve. Very truly yours, 

(Signed), JOHN L. FRAZER, 
Docket Clerk, House of Representatives. 



Denver, Colo., August 8th, 1907. 

Angelo Noce, Esq., Denver, Colorado. 

Dear Sir: — In compliance with your request relative to the 
introduction of a bill in the Colorado Legislature providing for 
the recognition of the 12th day of October as a legal holiday 
to be known as Columbus Day, I wish to say: 

That sometime during the early part of the year 1905 you 
asked me to examine a certain draft for the bill which you had 
prepared. Said draft being written in pencil contains the inter- 
lineation which 1 suggested and is hereto attached. This bill 
was introduced on the 13th day of January, 1905, by the Honor- 
able Emmet Bromley and was known as House Bill No. 65. 
Thereafter and on to-wit, the 18th day of January, 1905, Senator 
Barela introduced in the Senate bill known as number 115. 
Neither one of these bills became law. 

The bill which was passed by the last Assembly is the same 
bill as was caused to be introduced by you in the year 1905. 

Trusting that this information may comply with your 
wishes, and any further information which 1 may give, you will 
please command. 

Yours truly, 

(Signed). L. J. STARK. 

Visto al Ro. Consolato d'ltalia per I'autenticazione del- 
Tavvocato L. J. Stark. 

Denver li 10-8, 1907. 

II Regio Console. 

(Seal). P. CORTE. 



STATE OF COLORADO. 

City and County of Denver, ss. 

I, Helen M. Kane, do hereby certify that the above is the 
original copy of the Christopher Columbus Day Bill, introduced 
into the House of Representatives by Mr. Emmet Bromley, in 



96 

the early part of January, A. D. 1905, and which was typewritten 
by me free gratis at the request of Mr. Angelo Noce. 

(Signed), HELEN M. KANE. 

Subscribed and sworn to before me this 7th day of August, 
A. D. 1907. 

My commission expires December 14, 1910. 

(Signed), MILTON L. ANFENGER, 
(Notarial Seal.) Notary Public. 

Visto al Ro. Consolato d'ltalia per I'autenticazione della 
firma del notaio Anfenger. 

Denver li 10-8, 1907. 

II Regio Console, 
(Seal.) P. CORTE. 



(Emblem of Italy.) 
Consolato 
di 
S. M. il Re d'ltalia. 

San Francisco, Calif., 5 Ottobre, 1882. 

Illmo. SIGNOR ANGELO NOCE. 

S. G. No. 685. 

Signore, — Son lieto di poterle esternare a nome del Ro. 
Ministero degli Affari Esteri la piu' viva gratitudine per la 
diligenza e la pazienza da lei dimonstrata nel somministrare a 
questo Ro. Consolato i dati per il censimento degli Italiani della 
Contea d'Eureka, Nevada. Gradisca i sensi della mia piu' dis- 
tinta considerazione. 

A. M. LAMBERTENGHI. 

Sig. Angelo Nooe, Tribune Job Office, Denver, Colo. 



Denver, Colorado. Oct. 29, 1907. 

Hon. P. Corte, Italian Consul, Denver, Colorado. 

Dear Sir: — I am informed that there is some question 
relative the person who is the author of what is known as the 
Columbus Day bill. I was a member of the House during the 
year 1905 and prior thereto, and am familiar with the history 
of this bill and take pleasure in informing you that I introduced 






HON. EMMET A. BROMLEY, 

OF BRIGHTON, ADAMS COUNTY, COLORADO. 



The gentleman who (January 13, 1905,) first intro- 
duced into the Fifteenth General Assembly of 
Colorado, the Bill creating October 12th of 
each year a legal holiday known as 



COLUMBUS DAY." 

\See "L'Unione" of Pueblo, January 20, 1905.1 



99 

this bill for Mr. Noce on January 13th. 1905, being known as 
House Bill, number 65. A few clays thereafter the Honorable 
Casimiro Barela called upon me for a duplicate copy of this 
bill to have it introduced in the Senate, which was accordingly 
done, and he introduced it in the Senate on the 18th day of 
January, 1905. For some reason this bill did not become a law. 
I have examined the bill which was introduced by the Honor- 
able Casimiro Barela during the last session of the Legislature 
and find that it is practically verbatim as the bill introduced 
by me in behalf of Mr. Noce. 

Mr. Noce has advocated the passage of such a law for many 
years past and I think the honor and credit of being the author 
of this act is justly due him. 

Very lespectfuUy, 

(Signed). EMMET A. BROMLEY. 



Brighton, Colorado, October 2G, 1908. 
To His Excellency, the Ambassador of Italy, Washington, D. C 

Honorable Ambassador: On the occasion of the recent 
holiday in the State of Colorado, and particularly in the City 
of Denver in said state, in memory of the grand Italian navigator, 
Columbus, there appeared several articles in the local newspa- 
pers highly complimenting the people of the state for having, 
even at this late date, recognized the great Columbus, and 
since the passage of the bill by the State Legislature of this 
state setting aside the 12th day of October each year as a 
holiday, many persons now lay claim to the honor of being the 
first to suggest and advocate that said day should by enactment 
be made a legal holiday. No doubt you have found on many 
occasions that some people are always willing they should be 
looked up to for something done that they took no part in until 
after the affair had become fixed. 

Now, Honorable Sir, I desire to state that I was a member 
of the House of Representatives in the State of Colorado in 
the year 1905, and for several years prior thereto, and also of 
the Senate of the State of Colorado, and am very familiar with 
the history of this bill, and I have the honor to inform you that 
I, as a member of the House, introduced the bill for Mr. Angelo 
Noce on January 13, 1905, said bill being known 8S House Bill 
No. G5. A few days after the introduction of saiue in the House, 
the Honorable Casimero Barela, who was a member of the 
State Senate at that time, called upon me for a duplicate copy 
of the bill so that he mi.ght introduce the same into the Senate, 
which I cheerfullv gave him, after which he introduced it in the 



100 

Senate on the eighteenth day of January, 1005, the same being 
the fifth day after it was introduced in the House. For want 
of time this Bill did not become a law at that session, it being 
what is known as the Fifteenth Session. I desire further to 
state that I have e.xamined the bill which was introduced by 
Casimero Barela in the Sixteenth Session of the State Legis- 
lature, and I find that it is practically the same bill which was 
introduced by me in behalf of Mr. Xoce in the Fifteenth Ses- 
sion, and also by Mr. Barela at the same time. 1 desire further 
to state that for several years ])rior to 1905 1 had known that 
Mr. Angelo Noce had t^dvocated the introduction of the bill in 
the State Legislature to set aside the 12th day of October in 
honor of Christopher Columbus. 

I make this statement for the reason that several others 
are now claiming the honor and credit of having suggested the 
passge of said bill, and all honor and credit for the introduction 
of same should be given to Mr. Angelo Noce of the City of 
Denver. I have no other interest in this matter except to state 
the facts, and you being a rei)resentative of the country of 
which Mr. Noce is a native, he feels that you should know the 
facts, and that credit should be given where it belongs. 

Very respectfully, 

(Signed), EMMET A. BROMLEY. 



Denver, Colorado, October 29, 1907. 
To Count P. Corte, Italian Consul, Denver, Colorado. 

Dear Sir: There seems to have arisen some doubt among 
your countrymen as to who first suggested the plan to have 
"Columbus Day" made a legal holiday in the State of Colorado. 
I therefore desire to say that I was a member of the State 
Legislature of Colorado in 1897 (Eleventh General Assembly) 
and that during that session I was waited upon by Mr. Angelo 
Noce of Denver, Colorado, and he suggested to me and urged 
me to introduce a bill which he had prepared making October 
12th of each year a legal holiday, to be known as "Columbus 
Day," and the only reason that I did not do as he requested was 
because the time for introducing bills had passed for that ses- 
sion. 

I was also a candidate for State Senator in the year 1890, 
from Clear Creek County, but was not elected. Mr. Noce called 
on me before the election and requested a promise that if 
elected I would introduce the bill heretofore ruferred to, and I 
then a.nd there promised I would do so. 

I make this statement in justice to Mr. Noce for the reason 
that I believe he was the first and original "Columbus Day" 



101 

man in the State of Colorado, and of course there are a few, 
but only a few, persons who would like to take the credit to 
themselves. In other words, try to steal that ^^hich belongs to 
Mr. Angelo Noce. 

Very respectfully, 

(Signed), JOEL W. ORVIS. 



THOS. F. O'MAHONEY, 
Sheriff. 

Sheriffs Office, Leadville, Colo.. August 27, 190,6. 

Count P. Corte, Italian Consul, Denver, Colorado. 

Dear Sir: I understand that there is a controversy going 
on between several of your countrymen as to whom belongs 
the credit of first suggesting to the Legislature of the State 
of Colorado to consider what is known as "The Columbus Day'" 
Bill. 

I desire to say that I was a member of the House of Rep- 
resentatives of this State in the year A. D. 1891, having been 
elected from this Lake County, and during the session of the 
Legislature of that year (1891) I was waited upon by Mr. Angelo 
Noce, of Denver, and he at that time requested me, then and 
there, to introduce a bill in the House of Representatives to 
cause the State to erect a monument to the memory of Colum- 
bus, and have the same placed on the Capitol grounds; and 
also to make October 12th a legal holiday in honor of Christo- 
pher Columbus, which at that time I agreed to do, but circum- 
stances arose that prevented me from complying with his very 
urgent request. 

I make this statement to you in order to give credit to 
whom it belongs. 

Yours very truly, 

(Signed), THOS. F. O'MAHONEY. 



STATE OF COLORADO. 

Executive Chamber. 

Denver. 

October the Tenth, 1905. 

Mr. Angelo Noce, Denver, Colorado. 

Dear Sir:— At your request, I take pleasure in handing you 



i;)2 

herewith the pen which 1 userl in signing the Colunibns Day 
proclamation. 



Ench)sure. 



Very truly yours. 

(Signed). JESSE F. McDOXAT.D, 



Attest: 

(Signed), .JAMES COWIE, 



Governor. 



Secietary of State. 



(Seal) 



STATE OF COLORADO, 

Executive Chamber. 

Denver. 

October the Third, 1906. 

Mr. Angelo Noce, Denver. Colorado. 

My Dear Sir: — It gives me pleasure to i)resent you here- 
with the pen used by me in signing the Columbus Day procla- 
mation recently issued, asking the people of this state to cele- 
brate the anniversary of the discovery of America, October 12th. 

You are certainly entitled to great credit for the inde- 
fatigable manner in which you have labored for the proper 
recognition of the services of your great countryman, and I am 
sure the time will soon come when, by legislative enactment 
and proclamation, due credit will be given him. 

Very truly yours, 

(Signed), .JESSE F. McDONALD, 

Governor. 
T heartily endorse the foregoing. 

(Signed), JAMES COWIE, 

Secretary of State. 
(Seal) 

(Endorsed.) Received from Angelo Noce pen as descril^ed 
herein for Denver Council .539 Knight i of Columbus. 

(Signed). F. J. CAVANAUGH, 

Grand Knight. 
Oct. 12. 19(iC. 



■^« 



^«vr 



'-. /"- --- 







PE 



N WITH WHICH THE FIRST PROCLAMATION WAS SIGNED. 

Bv Courtesy cf The Df.nvkr Uepubi.hax. November .,. l.'O.^. 



105 

Henry A. Buchtel, Alfred C. Montgomery, 

Governor. Secretary. 

STATE OF COLORADO, 
Executive Office. 
Denver. 

December 16th, 1907. 
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: 

mis is to certify that for the past six or eight years I per- 
sonally know that Angelo Noce has been working to obtain the 
passage of the law known as the Columbus Day. and that at 
the last session of the Legislature the law was passed. I be 
lieve that his efforts were largely instrumental in obtaining 
the passage of such a law, and is, therefore, entitled to the 
credit. 

Very truly yours, 

(Signed), ALFRED C. MONTGOMERY. 



Headquarters Colorado Brigade. 
U. R. K. of P. 

P. H. CHAMBERS, 

Colonel and Asst. Adjt. Gen. 
Denver, Colo., Dec. 30, 1907. 
Hon. Angelo Noce, Grand Marshal, Columbus Dav Parade, Oct. 
12, 1907, 

City. 
Dear Sir: — It is with regret that I learn of the loss of my 
letter addressed to you Nov. 16, in which I have expressed my 
appreciation for the courtesies received from you by appointing 
me Chief of Staff for the Columbus Day Parade Oct. 12, '07, of 
which you were Grand Marshal and which was the first cele- 
bration of this legal Holiday created by a Bill passed at the last 
Session of the Legislature in Colorado, and as I understand in- 
troduced by you, you being the author of the Bill and con- 
sequently the Maker of Columbus Day as a legal Holiday for 
which success I wish to congratulate you. Permit me to again 
thank you for the honor conferred upon me and let me assure 
you that I will gladly render any services required of me on 
like occasions. 

Wishing you a very Happy and Prosperous New Year. I am. 
Sincerely yours, 

(Signed), CHAS. D. PFAFFLIN, 

Brig. Gen. Commdg. Colo. 

Brigade U. R. K. P. 



I Of) 

Denver. Colo., July ?,. 1907. 
Count P. Corte. Italian Consul, Denver. Colo. 

Dear Sir: I have known Mr. Angelo Noce intimately since 
1882, and know that no one among the Italians of Denver has 
done as much as he in elevating the people of his race, and 
making them respected in Colorado. 

About 1888 1 was State Commander of all the Command- 
eries of Colorado for the Patriotic Order Sons of America, and 
at that time 1 extended an invitation to the Garibaldi Society of 
Denver, through Mr. Noce. to parade with us, and assist us in 
raising a flag over the East Denver High School. This invita- 
tion was accepted by the Society, and the affair was a grand 
success, and the papers of Denver si)oke in the highest terms 
of the fine appearance of the Garibaldians. Previous to this 
time the Italian people in Colorado had never been recognized 
on any pviblic occasion. I gave them the post of honor on that 
day, and felt proud of my guests. 

About 1890 Mr. Armstrong, an official of the United States 
Government, by invitation of the P. O. S. of A., gave a series 
of lectures in Denver, one lecture being on United Italy and 
Garibaldi. Mr. Noce, through me. was requested to invite the 
Garibaldi Society, but he declined because the other Italian so- 
cieties were not included in the invitation. I gladly extended 
the invitation to include all the Italian societies, of which Mr. 
Frank Mazza and Mr. Lino were the respectiy« presidents of 
the other two. Mr. Noce called a meeting of the three societies 
at the City Hall in Denver, on which occasion he acted as chair- 
man, and gave them the invitation. The invitation was ac- 
cepted, and the three societies turned out in force. 

About 1891 Mr. Noce asked my aid and advice about intro- 
ducing a bill in the Colorado legislature to declare October 12 a 
legal holiday, under the name of Columbus Day. It was favored 
by Hon. James A. Kilton, then a member of the legislature, and 
aiso National President of the P. O. S. of A. It was then too 
late to introduce the bill. 

Previous to this time Mr. Noce told me of his efforts to 
get his people to raise a monument to the memory of Christo- 
pher Columbus. 

As he consulted me frequently about these matters. I am 
satisfied that he originated the ideas of both the monument and 
the legal holiday, and is entitled to all the honors for the same. 

I understand that others are claiming these honors, so as a 
matter of justice to Mr. Noce. I voluntarily g've my testimony 
to you, as the officical representative of the Italian Government. 
Yours very truly. 

iSi.gned) ROBERT H. LATTA. 



m 




<m 



CAPTAIN ROBERT H. LATTA, 

Attorney at Law, and I'ditoi- Colorado Graphic. Past Coiunuin- 

der of the Colora(h) ('oiiiinandt>rics Patriotic Order 

Sons ot America. 



The demonstrations of his friendship for the Italian people 
can best be seen bv what he has done for them. — See letter. 



<^ 




AW. CilUSEPPt: SACCO, 

Former Editor and Proprietor of " II Risveglio." 

This gentleman did by his writings that which many- 
others could not accomplish. He was an assiduous and un- 
relenting advocate of the Columbus Day. Free and 
unbiased in all things, especially in what tended to promote 
the welfare of the Italians. 



iii4><@><^<^#><g>^<^^^^^^^<^^^^^'@'«»<®>#> <g>^^^'®><@><@>'^<g> <^^^^^^^<§><g><g»ii 



Ill 

Denver, Colo.. 15 Ottobre, 1907. 
Signer Angelo Noce. 

Citta. 

E' obbligo imprescindibile di ogni uomo onesto "'dare a Cesare 
quel che e' di Cesare"' : ed e' obbligo di ogni italiano in questa 
ospitale terra straniera che ci alberga. amare quei del nostro 
paese che qui si distinguono onorando se' e la patria nostra 
prediletta, che conta tauta pirte ilella ucstia vita e tlel no.stro 
cuore Cristoforo Colombo e' immacolata gloria piu' che italiana, 
umanitaria; il suo nome e' scritto a caratteri indelebili nella 
storia di tutti i popoli della terra, ed Angelo Noce fece scolpire 
quel nome nella storia coloniale del Colorado. 

E' opera vostra. o Noce, se oggi la Legislatura del Colorado 
ha decretata festa legale il 12 Ottobre di ciascun anno — ed e' 
opera vostra se gli stranieri oggi hanno imparato ad onorare e 
festeggiare Colombo — Gloria a Liuil — onore a Vol I 

"Sul muto degli Eroi sepolcro frale 
"Eterna splende di virtu' la face 
"Passa il tempo e la sventola coH'ale 
"B piu' bella la rende e piu' vivace." 

E voi, o Angelo Noce, avete resa piu' bella e piu' splendida 
la face che sventola sulla tomba. che racchiude le martirizzate 
ossa dell'illustre Genovese. 

lo so — tutti gli italiani sanno. che fin dal 1892 tutta la vostra 
vita fu spesa pel santo obiettivo di rendere immortale fra queste 
popolazioni il nome di Colombo — e le generazioni venture ac- 
coppierano al nome di Colombo quello dell'infaticabile suo 
araldo Angelo Noce. 

Lasciate che i botoli abbaino ai vostri piedi, e voi, siate 
superbo di essere stato I'autore ed il patlre del Coiuinl)u.s Day 
Bill in Colorado. 

Vi saluto, Noce, e stringo la mano a voi quale uno dei piu 
coscienziosi e veritieri patriotti italiani, che vivono all' Estero. 

Devotissimo vostro. 

GIUSEPPE SACCO, 
2419 19th Street. Notaio. 



Denver. Colo.. Nov. 4, 1907. 
A Chi Concerne: 

Volendo io attestare sempre la verita", dichiaro che il 
Signor Angelo Noce fu I'iniziatore della festa di Cristoforo 
Colombo, celebratasi" dagli Italiani resident! in Denver. Colo- 
rado, il dodici ottol)re mille ottocento novantadue (12 Ottobre, 



112 

1892), ed io in quel tempo era un ufficiale di quella festa 
quindi attesto che I'onore della iniziativa della celebrazione della 
festa va data ad Angelo Noce, che si)ese tutte le sue forze per ben 
riuscirvi e t'arla piu' bella. 

GIUSEPPE OROCCHI. 
della dltta M. & O. 
1534 Wazee Street. 



A Chi puo Interessare: 

lo qui sottoscritto essendo stato un'ufficiale della festa di 
Cristoforo Colombo del 12 Ottobre, 1892. che si celebro' in Den- 
ver, dichiaro che, detta celebrazione fu fatta dagl' Italiani, ma 
fu il Signor Angelo Noce che la i)ropose. Come anche in que' 
tempo, dopo sua iniziativa si pubblico' su i giornali locali per 
un monumento da erigersi a C. Colombo. 

Ed ultimamente anche dopo tanti suoi sforzi e' riuscito a far 
passare la legge del Columbus Day in Colorado con proclama 
del Governatore dichiarando il 12 Ottobre festa legale in Colo- 
rado. 

Firmato questo 12 Ottobre, 1906. 

FRANK MAZZA. 

Manager Colorado Macaroni Factory. 



R. Consolato d'ltalia, Denver, Colorado. 
N. P. Gle 



Oggetto: 
Ringraziamenti 
Allegati No. 



Denver, Colorado, li 15 Ottobre, 1905. 



Egregio e Caro Sig. Noce. 



Mi riesce ])articolarmente grato di ringraziarla per la penna 
che la S. V. Illm. mi ha trasmesso, penna colla quale il Gover- 
natore di questo Stato firmava il decreto che proclamava fe"t '. 
il 12 Ottobre, giorno in cui il Grande esploratore italiano Cristo 
foro Colombo approdava prime fra gli Europei in (pie^itc .spiaijgie 
Americane. Partecipandole che tal i)enna verra' inviata come 
ricordo alia Citta' di Genova, Le rinnovo i miei ringraziamenti e 
Le offro gli atti della mia distinta stima. 

11 Ro. Console. 

Illmo. Signore P. CORTB. 

Sig. Angelo Noce, Denver. 




# 



SIG. FRANK MAZZA. 



Mr. Frank Mazza, an old pioneer of this city and state, 
has been one of the foremost in elevating his (our) coun- 
trymen in the estimation of the American public. The Co- 
lumbus Day matter has always been dearest to his heart, 
and he was the organizer of many Italian societies. 



!<§> 



R. Consolato Generale D'ltalia. 
Telefono Main 2944. 
No. 10429 
Pos. B-4 

Denver, Colo.. 4 dicenibre, 1909. 

1024 Grant Avenue 
Oggetto: 

"Columbus Day." 
Signor Angelo Noce, 

1700 Lawrence Street, Denver. Colo. 
Egr. Sig. Noce: 

In seguito alia Sua richiesta, questo Ufficio scrisse 11 22 
ottobre u. s. al Munlcipio di Geneva per accertare se era cola' 
pervenuta la penna d'oro da Lei consegnata tempo addietro 
all'allora titolare di questo R. Consolato. 

Quel Municipio mi risponde ora di aver fatto eseguire 
accurate ricerche presso quella Civica Amministra/.ione e che 
"TALI RICERCHE COMPIUTE IN MODO ESAURIENTE 
RIUSCIRONO NEGATIVE, a che si puo' affermare che la penaa 
non fu trasmessa, o quanto meno si smarri' per via.'' 

II predetto sig. Sindaco aggiunge poi che tale fatto spiega 
i mancati ringraziamenti di ciuella Civica Aniministvazione al 
benemerito suo concittadino signor Noce, alia cui patriottica 
iniziativa ed alia cui costante ed efficace propaganda si deve 11 
merito maggiore dell'importante e signiflcantissimo omaggio 
reso alia memoria del grande ed infelice scopritore de rAmerica." 

Con distinti saluti. 

II R. Console Generale, 

(Signed) A. ROSSI. 



R. Consolato Generale D'ltalia. 
Telefono Main 2944. 



No. 464 
Pos. B-4 



Denver. Colo.. 19 gf^nnaio, 1910. 

1024 Grant Avenue. 



Oggetto : 

"Columbiis Day." 

Egre,gio Signore: 

II Sig. Sindaco della citta' di Genova, con lettera del 29 
dicembre 1909, mi scrive quanto segue: 



IK) 

"Venuto a coKiiizione dell' opera Datriottica cnsti' compiuta 
dal mio concittadino AXGELO XOCE e patrocinatore assiduo 
della proposta lelativa aila dichiarazione di festa ufficiale del 
giorno in cui ricorre I'anniversario della sco])erta dell' America 
avrei desiderio die gli fosscMo espre.ssi i vivi riii<j;razianieiiti di 
questa Civica Amniinistrazione, lieta che un egresio genovese dia 
prova in terra straniera di alto amore alia terra natale e alle sue 
gloriose tradizioni. 

"T.e sarei veramente grato Illnio. Signor Console, se Ella, 
avvalorandoli colla di Lei autorevole persona, volesse renders! 
interprete presso il sig. Xoce di questi sentiment!. " 

Xeir adempiere il graditissimo incarico, sono lieto de 
I'occasione per salutarla distintamente. 

II. R. Console Generale, 

(Signed) A. ROSSI. 
Signor Angelo Noce, Denver, Colo. 



Worthy Sir: 



Translation. 

Denver, Colo., Jan. 19, 1910. 

1024 Grant Avenue 



The Hon. Mayor of the City of Genoa. Italy, in a letter 
dated December 29, 1909, writes to me as follows: 

"The patriotic act accomplished there by my fellow-citizen. 
Angelo Noce, the assiduous defender of the proposition relative 
to the declaration of an official festival of the day on which 
occurs the anniversary of the discovery of America, has come 
to my knowledge. It is my desire that there should be ex- 
pressed to him the sincere thanks of this Civic Administration, 
happy that a worthy Genoese gives proof in a foreign land of 
his great love for his native country and its glorious traditicn". 

"I would be really very grateful to you, illustrious Mr. Consul, 
if you would attest and as an authoritative person render your- 
self interpreter to Mr. Noce these sentiments." 

In fulfilling the pleasing request, I am happy of the occa- 
sion to distinctly salute you. 

The Ro. Consul General, 

(Signed) A. ROSSI. 
Signor Angelo Noce, Denver, Colo. 



117 

Correspondence Between Mr. Noce and Ex-Consul Corte. 

Denver, Colo., December 8. 1909. 

Hon. P. Corte, Ex-Italian Consul for the District of Colorado, 
Denver, Colorado. 

My Dear Sir: On November 4, 1905, I placed in your hands 
a pen which was used by the Governor of this State in signing 
the first proclamation for Columbus Day observation. I have 
been waiting a long time to get an acknowledgment from you 
or the Genoese Government, but up to the present time I have 
heard nothing from you regarding the same. I am now very 
anxious to learn whether or not you forwarded the same, as 
requested, and whether or not you have received an acknowl- 
edgment of its receipt. 

Trusting you will give me full information at your very 
earliest convenience, I am. most respectfully yours, 

(Signed) ANGELO NOCE, 

1716 Lawrence St. 



Denver, 11 Xbre 1909. 
Egregio Sig. Noce: 

Non mi pervenne che ieri la gradita sua dell' 8 corrente e 
mi affretto a risponderle in merito. 

Appena avea ricevuto dalla S. V. la penna colla quale .i 
Governatore del Colorado Onlle. McDonald avea firmato il 
decreto col quale riconosceva per festive nell' anno 1905 il 
giorno in cui per la prima volta Cristoforo Colombo approdava 
in America, scrissi al deputato Ligure Onle. Bianoheri allora 
Presidente della Camera pregandolo di farmi sapere a mani di 
chi o iii quale Autorita' italiana dovesse esser consegnata la 
penna per corrispondere il piu degnamente possibile al desiderio 
manifestato dalla S. V. Non ebbi al riguardo risposta. ma sup- 
pongo cio' si debba attribuire alia grave malattia che pj-ecedette 
la sua morte. 

Le pratiche restarono cosi sospese e la penna rimase qui e 
la tengo a sua disposizione. Invece le due penne colle quali il 
Governatore Buchtel firmo' il decreto che riconobbe per sempre 
festivo il 12 ottobre furono prese una dal Senatore Barela e 
I'altra dal sig. Tabet che mi accompagnava quando 11 Go- 
vernatore firmo' alia nostra presenza il decrceto. 

lo sto' di casa al n' 1440 Milwaukee St. ed il mio ufficio e' 
al Continental building n' 203 a 206 dove saro' sempre lieto di 
vederla. 

Sue dev'mo. 

P. CORTE. 



lis 

Denver, Colo., December 15, 1909 

Mr. P. Corte, Ex-Italian Consul. City. 

Dear Sir: Yours of the nth inst. at hand, and 1 can as- 
sure you that I was surpiised at its contents, when you state 
that the pen I gave you in the year 1905, to transmit to Italy, 
it being the pen that was used by Governor McDonald in sign- 
ing the first Proclamation nialving Oct. 12th a legal holidav, 
has not been sent by you, you having heretofore at different 
times informed me that you had sent the same. I therefore 
request that you now deliver said pen, with the papers attached 
to same, to Mr. .lames J. McFeely. of this city, without any 
further delay. 

Yours truly, 

(Signed) ANGELO NOCE. 



Denver. Colorado, .Ian. 25th. 1910. 
Hon. A. Rossi, Ro. Consul General for Italy. 

Hon. Sir: I beg to acknowledge receipt of youi' letter 
dated Jan. 19th, 1910. Prot. No. 464. 

I sincerely thank you for the kindness you have shown to 
me. and certainly appreciate the kind words and expressions 
conveyed to me through you from the Honorable Mayor of the 
City of Genoa and Administration. 

I beg leave. Sir. to be permitted to soon come and thank 
you personally for your kind endeavors. 

With highest esteem I have the honor. Sir. to remain re- 
spectfully yours. 

(Signed) ANGELO XOCE. 



R. Consolato Generale D'ltalia. 
Telefono Main 2944. 



No. 79 
Pos. B-4 



Denver. Colo., .3 gennaio 1910. 

1024 Grant Avenue. 



Oggetto: 

"Columbus Day." 

Signor Angelo Noce. Denver. Colo. 

Egregio Signore: Ho ricevuto oggi Tattestato a Lei diretto 
dal Governatore del Colorado 11 10 ottobre 1905. e la penna che 



119 

il Governatore uso' nel firmare il decreto che proclamo' per la 
prima volta FESTA UFFICIALE il 12 ottobre, anniversario 
della scoperta dell' America. 

Xel ringraziarla per I'omaggio ch" Ella ne fece al Municipio 
di Geneva, mi pregio di assiccurarla che oggi stesso ho man- 
date la penna e lattestato all' ill mo. sig. Siudaco della citta' 
che diede i natali al Grande Navigatore. 

Con ben distinta stima, 

II R. Console Generale, 

(Signed) A. ROSSI. 



Denver, Colo., 5 Luglio 1910. 
Egregio Angelo Noce: 

Fra gl' italiani di Denver mai conobbi un uomo che come 
Lei unisca all' ingegno la lealta' e la generosita'. 

Gli stranieri, o almeno massima parte di essi, contendono a 
Cristoforo Colombo il vanto della scoperta dell' America. 

Devesi a Lei, Signor Noce, se nel Colorado esiste 11 Colum- 
bus Day, cioe' se il 12 Ottobre e' riconosciuto festa legale. 

A Lei, Signor Noce, cui fu negato il merito da un indegno 
rappresentante d'ltalia e dai titolati da lui sollevati dalle stalle 
alle stelle. 

Cio' che ho sul cuore, ho suUa lingua e in nessun paese 
vennero conferite croci a sproposito, come qui in Denver. 

Esiste qualche cavaliere. cui si vergognerebbero stringere 
la mano anche gl' inquilini di Canon CitJ^ Fa meraviglia e di- 

spiacere ad un tempo come I'attuale Console, il Com. Rossi, 

giusto, leale ed onesto, non abbia ancora riparato all' ingiu- 

stizia ed al mal fatto dei suoi predecessor!, facendo decorare un 

uomo di merito un pioniere, un galantuomo come Ella e', Si- 
gnor Angelo Noce. 

Con sincerita' e per la verita'. 

Devomo. 

(Signed) FRANCESCO MORACCl. 



120 



A Letter from Gov. McDonald 



The following letter, in reply to a verbal inquiry, recently 
was addressed to Mr. Jerome C. Smiley, Historian, by former 
Governor Jesse F. McDonald : 

Mr. Jerome C. Smiley, 

Denver, Colo. 

June 18, '10. 
Dear Sir: 

During my term as Governor of Colorado, Mr. Angelo Noce 
came to see me several times — sometimes being accompanied 
by other prominent Italian-Americans — in reference to making 
Columbus Day a holiday. 

After due consideration I complied with the request, and 
made the first proclamation, and request, for the observance 
of that day, in 1905, and presented Mr. Noce with the pen with 
which I signed said proclamation. 

As the foregoing occurred during a very busy period, my 
recollection can be but general, but I hope it will be sufficient 
for your purpose. 

Very truly yours, 

JESSE F. MCDONALD. 



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